“There is a person who works. They have a family and their life is important ‘
Content of the article
A Calgary towing company is begging motorists to drive safely after one of its tow truck drivers was seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle while at work.
Advertising
This ad has not yet loaded, but your article continues below.
Content of the article
John Douglas, 45, who many affectionately refer to as “JD”, was stuck between the vehicle he was working on and the car that hit him last Wednesday on 11th Street NE. He was rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition. but is now recovering after several surgeries, said his colleague at A-1 Towing Inc.
“One minute can change a life,” said Maninder Bhullar, who works with Douglas.
“My humble request of everyone on a day-to-day basis, not just tow truck drivers but anyone on the road, is if you can’t help them, slow down and go ahead, give them some room. Just be careful. There is a person who works. They have families and their life is important.
Bhullar said it was the only incident in about 17 years since opening the Calgary-based business in which one of their own has suffered a serious collision. Although many are aware of the dangers of the job, she said staff were shaken up.
Advertising
This ad has not yet loaded, but your article continues below.
Content of the article
“It touched everyone at one point. Even I, as a person who works in the office, the lifestyle that I have seen as a wife of a tow truck driver – I can feel what everyone else is feeling. They are afraid, ”she said.
“Some of our drivers, it touched them emotionally, but knowing that he is fine and recovering and all the positive news we get from the hospital helps us all get over it.”
Calgary Police suspect impairment was a possible factor in the collision, in which a 28-year-old man, driving a black 2017 Subaru Legacy, struck Douglas while out of his vehicle and working on a broken down car.
Tow truck driver rushed to hospital after being hit by vehicle
Impairment is a possible factor in collision involving tow truck driver, police say
It is not known the extent of Douglas’ injuries or how long it will take to recover, although Bhullar expects it will be years before he can work again. This is why the towing company launched a fundraising campaign to cover possible expenses.
Advertising
This ad has not yet loaded, but your article continues below.
Content of the article
“JD needs the support of the community. He’s always been there for us, smiling, laughing and ready to lend a hand. We ask you to help him now ”, we read in the GoFundMe campaign page. “Your urgent help and commitment will mean the world to JD, to know that so much love and so many people are thinking of him when he needs it.”
More than $ 12,000 had been raised Thursday evening to reach the goal of $ 50,000.
One donor wrote that Douglas had taken them out of “pretty sticky situations” in the past.
“Tow truck drivers deserve to work in a safe environment, just like each of us in our own jobs; especially when they are working to help others and get people back on the road and on their way, ”they wrote.
Police are currently seeking to speak with witnesses who were in the area at the time of the collision or who saw the Subaru shortly before the crash. Witnesses are asked to contact the police non-emergency hotline at 403-266-1234 or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at calgarycrimestoppers.org
alsmith@postmedia.com
Twitter: alanna_smithh
