CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE — A Chattanooga tow truck driver who was struck by a vehicle while working on the shoulder of Interstate 24 with his emergency lights flashing has spoken out about the terrifying moments after impact — watching blood pour from both legs and wondering if he would ever see his family again — as dashcam footage of the crash has now been released.
Ben Moore, a driver for Doug Yates Towing and Recovery, was working on the shoulder of westbound I-24 near Westside Drive around 7 p.m. Thursday when a driver failed to move over, crossed the line, and struck him. Moore was transported to a local hospital where he underwent more than 10 hours of surgery to repair his right leg. He is left with two broken legs, broken feet, and a broken hand. At least one additional surgery remains.
“I saw my leg dangling there and blood pouring out of both my pant legs, and I could hear the desperation on the other people’s voices that were on scene,” Moore said. “I didn’t think I was ever going to see my family again. I really thought right there I was just gonna die on the side of the highway.”
Garrett Yates, spokesperson for Doug Yates Towing and Recovery, said Moore’s spirits are up despite the severity of his injuries. “He went through over a 10-hour surgery to repair his right leg. He’s kind of managing the pain right now. I think he has at least one surgery left, so he’s not out of the woods yet. But he’s doing very good considering the circumstances.”
Moore’s wife Shelby described the impact on their family. “It’s just heartbreaking. Nobody knows how we’re moving forward. Obviously, we will, but it’s just really hard, and we just don’t even know what to think right now.”
She also directed a message to drivers. “This was a simple, careless, and preventable action that almost ripped apart our whole world.”
Moore said the incident has rattled his coworkers. “Every single one of them that stepped out of their truck since it’s happened has been scared the entire time.” He said once recovered he plans to return to work, though he is uncertain about working interstate calls. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to mentally handle towing anymore, at least on the interstate.”
The driver of the vehicle that struck Moore was cited for violating Tennessee’s Move Over Law, failure to use due care, and failure to maintain her lane. The penalty for violating the Move Over Law in Tennessee is a maximum fine of up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail.
Chattanooga Police reminded the public that Tennessee’s Move Over Law applies not only to police, fire, and EMS vehicles but also to tow trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, solid waste vehicles, and utility vehicles.
Yates said his company trains drivers monthly on interstate safety. “Move over if you can, and if you can’t, at least slow down and have some respect for the people that are just trying to do their job on the side of the interstate.”
Interviews courtesy of local media.
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.
