Emergency responders put their lives at risk to help others. Whether they are law enforcement officers, firemen, first responders, or tow truck drivers, assisting those who are hurt holds its own set of dangers.
KTLA in Los Angeles reported that while assisting a motorist on Interstate 5 who had a flat tire a tow truck driver for AAA road service was struck and killed by a big rig. The accident happened on Friday, May 31st at approximately 8:15 p.m. in the southbound lanes near Castaic just north of Templin Highway.
In a statement issued by California Highway Patrol representative, Officer Patrick Kimball, the victim has been identified as Erwin Mendoza Geremillo, 47, of Castaic.
Geremillo had been helping a motorist who had a flat tire when an 18 wheeler towing a double trailer loaded with rocks struck and killed him. The big rig driver did not stop after striking the tow truck driver.
CHP officers arrived at the scene and they, along with the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner pronounced Geremillo dead at the scene.
Authorities are currently searching for the driver of the big rig. Based on eyewitness accounts of the incident, the truck is described as being red, black, and white with Arizona license plates. The big rig is likely to have sustained significant damage to its grill from the incident.
The CHP is treating the case as a hit-and-run and is asking anyone with any further information about the crash to contact them.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form