National scope
National Pulse
Fake Tow Driver in LA Monitored Police Scanners, Posed as Dispatched by Police, Charged Crash Victim $3,000 Cash to Return Her Car
A tow truck driver who claimed to be dispatched by police approached Brittany Williams after a crash in Los Angeles, loaded her vehicle, and took it to a yard whose listed address was railroad tracks in South LA, according to ABC7 Los Angeles. Williams, who undergoes kidney dialysis and depends on her car for medical appointments, was told it would cost $6,000 for repairs and $3,000 to retrieve her vehicle. She paid $3,000 in cash. LAPD Lt. Scott Moffitt told ABC7 that fake tow truck drivers monitor police scanners and rush to accident scenes before legitimate companies arrive.
Operator takeaway: Scanner-chasing scam operators damage every legitimate company's relationship with crash victims and law enforcement. If your market has this problem, coordinate with your local PD to establish a verified dispatch confirmation system.
Priority Wrecker Sanctions Hearing Was Thursday. No Public Ruling Yet.
The Davidson County court heard the Tennessee Attorney General's motion to sanction Priority Wrecker Service on April 10 after the company and owner Johnny Maye failed to respond to the AG's consumer protection lawsuit filed in December, according to prior WKRN and NewsChannel 5 reporting. The AG sought a $1,000-per-violation fine, customer restitution, and a five-year industry ban for Maye, with 22 additional consumer complaints received since December. As of publication, no ruling has been reported. TowShark is monitoring for the court's decision.
Operator takeaway: This is a developing story. When the ruling is published, TowShark will report it. The case remains the fastest-moving state AG enforcement action against a towing company currently in the courts.
Motorcyclist Dies After Vehicle Slides Off Tow Truck Flatbed on Philadelphia Highway. Driver Being Sought.
A motorcyclist was killed after a vehicle slid off a tow truck flatbed into traffic on a Philadelphia highway, according to 6ABC. Police are seeking the tow truck driver who left the scene. Details of the incident, including the identity of the victim, are limited pending the investigation.
Operator takeaway: A load that comes loose on a highway is a liability event that can result in a fatality, a criminal investigation, and a hit-and-run charge. Verify every load is secured before moving. If a load shifts or falls, stop immediately and call 911. Leaving the scene converts an accident into a felony.
Connecticut DMV Approves Towing Fee Increase: Hook-and-Tow to $125, Per-Mile Rate to $5.65
The Connecticut DMV approved an increase in basic towing fees, raising the hook-and-tow charge to $125 and the per-mile rate to $5.65 after the first two miles, according to Tow Industry Week. The increase follows years of operator lobbying as fuel, insurance, and equipment costs outpaced the previous fee structure.
Operator takeaway: Connecticut joins Ithaca and Fairfax County in adjusting towing fees to reflect current costs. If your state or city fee schedule has not been updated since before the diesel and insurance spikes, these adjustments provide comparable data for your own rate petition.
ACT Research Projects Class 8 Truck Prices Could Reach $238,000 in 2026 as Tariffs Add $35,000 to Landed Cost
ACT Research projects that a new Class 8 truck could cost approximately $238,000 in 2026 when 25 percent tariffs and federal taxes are combined, up from a current average of $170,000, according to Commercial Carrier Journal and Transport Topics. Nearly 50 percent of Class 8 trucks sold in the United States are imported from Mexico, and S&P Global Mobility estimates the tariff impact could reduce demand by as much as 17 percent.
Operator takeaway: If you have a heavy equipment purchase pending, get quotes now. Volvo and Mack have already announced May price increases, and every month of delay compounds the tariff impact on your landed cost.
Nissan Warns 51 Leaf Owners to Stop Driving, Charging, or Parking Near Buildings After Two Thermal Events with No Fix Available
Nissan recalled 51 units of the 2026 Leaf after a manufacturing defect in which a battery cathode edge tears and folds inside the cell, creating an internal short circuit that can cause fire even when the vehicle is parked and off, according to Carscoops citing NHTSA filings. Two thermal events were reported, one in Japan on February 16 and one at a U.S. dealership on March 2, with neither vehicle charging or turned on at the time; Nissan has no repair available yet and recall letters begin April 17.
Operator takeaway: A recalled EV with no fix and instructions to not park near buildings is a fire risk on your lot. If a 2026 Leaf arrives on your flatbed or your yard, check the VIN against the recall and stage it away from buildings, inventory, and fuel storage.
Harlingen Texas Tow Driver David Zapata, 46, Struck and Killed on Expressway. Suspect Charged with Intoxication Manslaughter, Trial Set April 27.
David Zapata, 46, of Mercedes was struck and killed while working on the Harlingen expressway on July 8, 2025, and Cristobal Stephan Garzez, 28, of Donna was charged with intoxication manslaughter, failure to stop and render aid involving death, and possession of a controlled substance after he was allegedly found nearby with blood spatter on his vehicle, according to KRGV. Garzez is being held on $725,000 bond, with a trial date set for April 27.
Operator takeaway: The trial is 16 days away. An intoxicated driver who fled and was found with a controlled substance faces three charges. Follow this case for the sentencing outcome.
Fuel and Cost Watch
Diesel at $5.64, Trucks at $238K, and the Ceasefire That Did Not Fix It
- The EIA national on-highway diesel average hit $5.643 for the week ending April 6, up 24 cents from the prior week. The Iran ceasefire dropped crude below $95 but diesel has not followed because the Strait of Hormuz remains restricted. Do not remove your fuel surcharge clause based on a ceasefire headline.
- ACT Research projects Class 8 trucks could reach $238,000 in 2026 from tariffs alone. Volvo and Mack have already announced May price increases. If you have a capital equipment decision pending, get quotes this week.
- Repair costs are up 33 percent since 2021 and 25 percent tariffs on imported parts are pushing more vehicles past the total loss threshold. More total losses means more vehicles sitting in your yard longer. Review your lien sale procedures for higher volume.
- Car repossessions hit 1.7 million in 2025 with subprime delinquencies at 6.6 percent, the highest since 1994. Repo call volume is surging. If your company does repo work, the confrontation risk rises with the volume.
Safety and Technology
AI Dashcams That Record Every Hook-Up, a Nissan Recall with No Fix, and a Body Cam That Changed Everything
- Fleets using AI dash cameras are seeing crash rates drop 73 percent, according to Commercial Carrier Journal. The technology detects drowsiness, distraction, and aggressive driving in real time. If your insurance carrier is not offering a discount for AI cameras, bring the data to your next renewal.
- Nissan recalled 51 Leaf EVs after two thermal events while parked and off, with no repair available yet. If a 2026 Leaf arrives at your yard, check the VIN and stage it away from everything.
- Milwaukee body cam footage shows an officer clinging to a fleeing tow truck for several blocks before firing. Jonathan Otto, 35, died after refusing to stop during a parole violation stop. Comply with every law enforcement instruction immediately.
- David Zapata of Harlingen was killed by an intoxicated hit-and-run driver while working the expressway. The suspect fled and was found with a controlled substance. Trial date is April 27.