A tow truck driver killed after he was hit by a vehicle on New Year's Eve in Spring Valley has been identified as a 62-year-old El Cajon man.
CHP responded to reports of a collision between a vehicle and pedestrian at around 8 p.m. Sunday on southbound State Route 125, just south of Jamacha Road.
The pedestrian was a 62-year-old tow truck operator, identified Monday by the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office as Dale Alan Pumphrey, who was on the shoulder loading a car onto his flatbed truck, according to the CHP.
Pumphrey was hit by a Toyota Prius driven by a 60-year-old man, the CHP said. The Prius driver veered out of his lane — the reason is still being investigated by the CHP — and hit the rear end of Pumphrey's tow truck, then hit Pumphrey, who died at the scene despite life-saving efforts from first responders.
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Drugs or alcohol are not believed to be factors in the crash, the CHP said. The Prius driver was not injured and stayed at the scene of the crash, according to the CHP. He is not facing any charges related to the crash at this point.
Lanes on southbound SR-125 were closed following the crash and reopened at around 10:25 p.m.
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On Monday, AAA said Pumphrey was assisting a AAA member with a flat tire.
"The Automobile Club of Southern California is deeply saddened to learn about this tragedy. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends during this extremely difficult time," an agency statement said, in part. "Incidents like this one underscore the critical importance of drivers watching out for disabled vehicles on the side of the highway, as well as adhering to the state’s Slow Down Move Over Law, which requires drivers to vacate a lane closest to an emergency vehicle, tow vehicle or utility vehicle with lights flashing, or slow way down if they are unable to safely move over."
According to AAA, failure to obey the Move Over Law can result in points on your driving record and a fine of up to $1,000.
Back in 2017, a tow truck driver was hit and killed by a DUI driver along State Route 52 in Tierrasanta.
