KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tow truck drivers work around the clock, and often end up helping people on the side of a highway. Two years ago, one of them was hit and killed while helping a stranded motorist.
Wednesday night, dozens of drivers gathered at Berkley Riverfront Park to pay tribute to Blake Gresham and raise awareness.
Gresham was 18 years old. He was on the Kit Bond Bridge helping a stranded motorist when a truck fatally sideswiped him. Wednesday night, driver after driver from competing tow companies pulled into a lot in the park.
The show of unity served two purposes. They wanted to support the Gresham family, but also encourage people to move over when they see a tow truck with its lights on.
They are included in the “move over” laws, which cover emergency and highway workers.
Many of them say they’ve been clipped by mirrors or had their feet run over because drivers don’t pay attention. Just after sunset, every driver had their truck pointed at a huge American flag, underneath was the truck Gresham was driving when he was killed.
The drivers turned on their emergency lights and flashers as a sign of respect, but also to serve as a reminder to drivers: When you see flashing lights, slow down or move over.
The Gresham family settled a civil lawsuit with the driver who hit their son, but the man was never criminally charged. They’ve said many times before that they’d give back the money in a second to see justice for Blake.