In the summer of 2017, AAA Fleet Technician Jay Lynk and another employee stopped to help a stranded motorist on I-95 in Fairfield. To caution passing motorists, the technicians activated the emergency lights on their two AAA vehicles parked along the roadway.
But a speeding box truck, disregarding the lights, barreled into the breakdown lane, crashed into the vehicles, and pinned Jay under the flatbed’s chassis. The force of the crash threw the motorist and the other AAA employee over the guardrail.
Jay spent weeks in a coma; months in rehab and today still relies on walkers and wheelchairs to get around. The other was injured and later released, escaping major physical harm. But strong memories of his near-death experience still linger.
This past April, Corey Iodice, a Family Towing of Fairfield employee, was loading a car disabled on the Merritt Parkway on his tow truck when he was killed by a driver who lost control of his vehicle, according to news reports.
“These clearly are examples of what happens when drivers fail to Slow Down and Move Over when tow truck operators aid others on our roadways,” said Mike Ellesio, Senior Manager of AAA’s Fleet Operations in CT, NY, and NJ.
‘Slow Down Move Over’ means just that, said Ellesio. “When a driver sees an emergency vehicle, with activated flashing lights, the law requires drivers to slow down to a reasonable speed and if possible, move over to an adjacent lane to give responders room to operate,” he said.
But AAA tow truck operators aren’t the only ones susceptible to hits or near hits by errant motorists.
“State police, firefighters, EMTs and DOT workers have all had their share of near-death experiences on CT interstates,” said CT State Police Sgt. Robert Derry of Troop G, Bridgeport, who has seen his share of near-hits and actual crashes of state police vehicles parked on state roadways.
“Keeping our highways safe is something everyone should support,” Derry added. “First responders are killed or injured on our roadways every year, so I urged drivers to help protect those who protect you. It’s the law.”
Connecticut’s Move Over law was passed in 2009 to protect drivers of emergency vehicles, who help motorists whose vehicles are disabled on state roads. Fines range up to $2,500 if injuries are caused; and up to $10,000 if deaths result.