Dragging Death Prompts Colorado Tow-Truck Bill
DENVER (CBS4/AP) - Colorado lawmakers have approved a bill that would require tow-truck drivers to attach stickers to drivers' windows alerting drivers that the vehicle is being towed after a tow truck driver was dragged to his death by a woman who drove off in her car.
Allen Rose was killed in February when he became tangled in the cables.
"He was a tremendous husband and a loving father. I am hoping that Allen's death as tragic as it has been can be a motivation for change," said Allen Rose's widow Renee Rose outside the state Capitol Wednesday.
The bill- Senate Bill 260- won unanimous approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee and now goes to the full Senate for debate.
Under the bill, if someone tries to drive a car with the sticker in the window, the charge is a class 3 misdemeanor which carries a penalty of up to six months behind bars and a $750 fine.
"I just wanted to see something positive come out of this," said Colorado resident Mike Baier. "It surprises me how an ordinary citizen like myself can come up with an idea, take it to my state senator and have it come this far."
Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, a former police officer and paramedic, introduced the Allen Rose Tow Truck Safety Act before the Senate Judiciary Committee. It makes entering a car with a decal indicating it's being towed, a crime.
"Is this is gong to stop somebody from entering a car who is going to drive off no matter what? No, it's not. But it is going to provide additional protection for what they do day in and day out," said Morse.
The bill also creates a new misdemeanor of assaulting a towing-truck operator trying to tow a car. Tow-truck operators say they are sometimes attacked by angry drivers and need more protection.
Finally, the bill requires passing drivers to give tow trucks wider berth.
"I know nothing will heal the hole in my life, I hope and pray that this will spare another family from having to go through what we've gone through," said Rose.
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