A 29-year-old tow truck driver from Detroit died today after being thrown from his vehicle in a violent collision at Mound Road and Dobry Drive in Sterling Heights. The crash involved his tow truck and a southbound semi tractor. Emergency crews treated the tow operator at the scene, but he was later pronounced dead. The crash remains under investigation.
According to CBS Detroit, Sterling Heights police said the semi tractor was heading south on Mound Road with a green light when the tow truck, traveling west on Dobry Drive, ran a red light. The impact threw the tow-truck driver from his vehicle. Police and firefighters tried to save him at the scene, but he died from his injuries, while the semi-tractor driver refused medical treatment. Investigators are asking anyone who saw the crash or has information to contact Traffic Specialist Officer Halapi at [email protected] or 586-446-2924.
Busy corridor was recently rebuilt to improve safety
The collision happened along a stretch of Mound Road that has just been through a multiyear overhaul meant to smooth lanes, modernize traffic signals and add pedestrian features. Hoodline coverage of the nine-year Innovate Mound rebuild tracked the project’s repaving and signal upgrades, and WXYZ has detailed the corridor’s long history of potholes and piecemeal fixes.
Tow and truck work carries known risks
State safety officials have been sounding the alarm about just how dangerous tow and truck work can be. MIOSHA recently listed several preliminary workplace fatalities this year involving towing and truck operations and urged stronger hazard awareness. Earlier this year, CBS Detroit reported on a car-hauler death in Eastpointe that was recorded as a workplace fatality.
Sterling Heights police did not immediately release the victim’s name and said updates would follow as the investigation moves forward. For now, investigators are again asking anyone with video or other information about the crash to contact the department.
