Towing Policies Reviewed Following Fatal Clash

PHILADELPHIA - (CBS) A clash between two tow truck operators over the weekend left one dead.  While officials believe the dispute was over the affections of a woman and not a battle for a customer, the Nutter Administration says further changes are in store to bring some sanity to the battle among wreck chasers.

With tow truck disputes in mind, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Everett Gillison said he and Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey are currently looking into modifying the training of police officers in responding to accidents.  Specifically, Gillison said, they want the officers to pay as much attention to the tow situation as the accident itself:

"A way for the officers to come onto the scene, not only to do the investigation of what happened with the accident, but also make sure that we keep an eye what the towing situation is and what the towing needs are."

In short, Gillison says, clarifying the towing situation would be added to the checklist of items an officer must deal with at the scene of an accident.

City Council this fall is expecting to hold hearings on the growing disputes among tow truck operators, including a proposal that would leave all accident scene towing to the Parking Authority.

Contributor: KYW Newsradio Reporter Mike Dunn