AAA Tow Truck Driver Survives Second Surgery After Being Hit, Community Rallies for Road Safety Awareness

MESA, Ariz. – Ramon Garcia, the tow truck driver who was hit by a car while lifting another vehicle onto his flatbed, recently underwent a second surgery on his left leg due to injuries sustained in the incident that occurred on April 18. Unable to attend a fundraiser held over the weekend outside of a Bass Pro Shop store in Mesa aimed at reminding drivers to slow down and move over for emergency responders, Garcia’s wife Yolanda expressed gratitude towards AAA tow truck drivers who came out in full force to support her husband during his time of need.
Garcia broke six bones in his left leg following the accident and was immediately rushed into surgery after being struck by a car while working on Loop 101. His wife shared that he is still recovering from the incident, which has been particularly painful for him since undergoing another surgical procedure recently.
Tow truck drivers around Phoenix showed up in force to attend the fundraiser aimed at raising awareness about the importance of slowing down and moving over when passing by emergency responders working on the side of highways or freeways due to an accident, flat tire or breakdown. The event’s aim was also to support Garcia during his time of need as he continues with recovery efforts following a harrowing experience that left him fighting for survival after being hit by another driver who failed to respect AAA rules governing road safety protocol while driving in areas designated specifically for emergency responders and tow truck drivers.
“He’s still in a lot of pain,” Yolanda shared during the fundraiser, adding: “The incision is from above his knee straight down to his ankle.” Her husband Travis Brown – another AAA driver who also attended the event – stressed that as people working on the side of highways and freeways every day, they’re well aware of how treacherous their work can be due to distracted driving.
“We call it the thin white line,” he said while referring to areas designated for emergency responders. “That’s the line of death…we see more and more [of this] everyday.” Brown also called on drivers passing by such zones to respect them, move over if possible or slow down at least as a precautionary measure that could potentially save lives in future incidents involving road accidents for which they’re responsible.
Ramon is expected to have another checkup 10 days from the event, highlighting both his remarkable determination to recover and the need for continued awareness campaigns aimed at educating drivers about their responsibility towards ensuring safety on highways and freeways while passing by emergency responders working in potentially dangerous conditions following incidents like Ramon’s that nearly ended fatally.