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Tow truck driver hit by a truck while clearing pile-up

Posted at 10:17 PM, Feb 14, 2015
and last updated 2015-02-14 23:13:24-05

MUSKEGON, Mich.—A pile-up Saturday morning on US-31 in Muskegon had traffic stopped in both directions. Tow trucks were sent out to clear the roads, and one tow truck driver was struck by a truck barreling through stopped traffic.

“People have no respect for us,” said Joseph Vandermolen, a tow truck driver for ASAP Towing, who was hit by a truck. "I have more lights on my truck than any type of emergency vehicle. They are bright and red, but other people don’t care."

Vandermolen claims a driver who had no regard for the icy and snowy conditions came barreling through at about 65 miles per hour and rear-ended several cars before hitting him.

“He threw me in the air,” said Vandermolen, "and I went about 20 to 30 feet. I ended up against a cement wall."

Vandermolen says it’s a miracle he’s still alive.

“I just got out of the hospital. They say I have internal bruises and stuff. They said I’ll be sore for a few days, but I’ll be back at it.”

Vandermolen says there’s no excuse for reckless drivers, especially in whiteout conditions.