A TOW truck driver made an honest mistake while on the job, and accidentally towed three cars – the accident made headlines.
Her boss felt the best call to action was to let her go – but it was for the best.
Two years ago, Metro Towing and Impounds in Phoenix, Arizona, made headlines after a driver, Tracy, input an inaccurate address for a new property on the company’s rotation into her GPS.
As a result, three cars were towed by mistake – causing panic for owners who thought their vehicles got stolen.
After calls from the disgruntled drivers, Dominick Bova, owner of the towing company, realized what had happened.
“When she put it in her GPS, it took her to 38th Street, but the property we picked up was on 38th Avenue,” Bova told ABC affiliate KNXV-TV.
In an exclusive interview with The U.S. Sun, Bova confirmed that Tracy, whose last name has been omitted for privacy, was terminated to ensure that mistake never happens again.
To calm the waters, Bova returned the three vehicles free of charge, but he couldn’t help feeling gutted by the tough decision.
According to him, Tracy’s skills and demeanor made her an asset to his team.
“It made me sad because she was one of my better drivers,” he said.
“But she was driving tired and I would rather someone tell me they weren’t able to do a job and needed a break than drive sleepy because that’s how mistakes like that are made. So, I let her go.”
According to Bova, Tracy was an excellent tow truck driver and a hard worker, and letting her go was one of the hardest decisions he made for the business.
“In all actuality, I hated having to let her go,” he continued.
“She is such a sweetheart. One hell of a tow driver, also.”
However, it may have been to Tracy’s benefit, Bova said, as the grass was greener on the other side.
Another Phoenix towing company was lucky enough to recruit Tracy for their team.
There is where she met her husband, Bova said.
What to do if your car is towed
Wrongfully or not, retrieving a towed vehicle can be a hassle.
If your vehicle is towed after parking in a “No Parking” zone or other legitimate reason, there are a few steps to take to get it back.
Steps to take when your car is towed:
- Try to figure out why your car was towed. Did you not see a posted “No Parking” sign? Did you miss a car payment? Did you return to a lot where you have unpaid citations? Finding the reason can narrow down the phone numbers to dial.
- Locate the vehicle. Most states, cities, or counties require towing companies to leave some form of contact information via a posted sign or sent by mail.
- Recovery dates and times depend on the company that towed the vehicle, but those times will be posted to the website or can be recited by a representative.
- Pay the fees. Be careful to be as prompt as possible, as some tow yards may charge storage fees by the day.
If you feel your vehicle was wrongfully towed, contesting the action can be done with the following steps:
- Be prompt – many states have a small window of time where it’s acceptable to file a complaint against a company that wrongfully towed the vehicle.
- Gather supporting documents: photos, emails, receipts, police reports, and witness statements if applicable. The more evidence, the better.
- Get familiar with your local laws, as laws for towing companies vary per state.
- Try speaking with the towing company. Sometimes it may have been a simple oversight, and the matter can be resolved quickly.
- Contact the Justice of the Peace in your area, as they may have more insight or resources to help. They are often utilized for towing cases.
- Talk to a lawyer. Many lawyers have free case consultations, and depending on the case, it may be worth it to utilize a lawyer.
Source: Oregon Department of Justice, National General, Rak Law Firm
“She got picked up by another towing company and she drove with them for a while,” beamed Bova.
“And it worked out for her because she ended up marrying the owner and everything. I’m glad she’s happy.”
Two years later, Bova still feels terrible for letting Tracy go.
However sad for his business, he’s happy to see an old friend thriving.
“It’s a sweet story, really,” Bova said.
The U.S. Sun had contacted Tracy for more details and an update.
Credit: Source link
