Tow truck driver narrowly escapes serious injury in I-15 hit-and-run

OREM — A Utah County tow truck driver is counting his blessings after a frightening hit-and-run crash on I-15 that was all caught on his dash camera.

Don Shelley was working along I-15 in Orem along the southbound lanes at the University Parkway exit when a passing truck pulling a camper sideswiped his tow truck, ripping off the driver's side mirror and causing significant damage.

"I heard a loud bang," Shelley recalled.

Dash camera video captured the moment the truck struck Shelley's vehicle. The impact damaged the driver's door and knocked off several lug nut covers, resulting in approximately $6,000 in repairs.

But Shelley said the damage could have been much worse.

"I could have been killed right there," he said.

The driver responsible never stopped and continued down the freeway.

Shelley, who has spent 50 years as a tow truck driver, said Utah's freeways remain one of the most dangerous places to work. He hopes the crash serves as a reminder for drivers to obey Utah's Move Over law, which requires motorists to slow down and move over when approaching emergency and service vehicles stopped along the roadway.

"It's too dangerous. People don't slow down. They don't move over," Shelley said.

The video has drawn attention from other tow truck operators, including southern Utah tow truck driver Casey Lofthouse, who was so disturbed by the footage that he is offering a $500 reward for information that helps identify the driver involved and leads to a citation.

"It's just a blatant disregard for other people's safety to not obey the slow down and move over law," Lofthouse said.

Shelley hopes drivers will take the message seriously and pay closer attention when traveling near emergency and roadside service vehicles.

"It's scary out there," he said.

As of now, no suspect has been identified. Anyone with information about the driver involved is asked to contact law enforcement.

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