HARDING — A tow truck operator was killed Wednesday as he helped a driver with their broken down vehicle along the shoulder of Route 287.
The death sparked outrage by coworkers, who hoped the preventable loss will bring more attention to a roadway safety law.
State Police Sgt. Jeffrey LeBron said the tow truck was with a disabled Honda on the southbound right shoulder near Exit 31 (Route 124).
A Jeep SUV then came down the shoulder and struck both vehicles and the tow truck operator, Daniel Ortiz, 24, of Hopatcong.
Ortiz died at the hospital.
The driver of the Jeep suffered minor injuries. LeBron did not disclose the identity of the Jeep driver or whether he would be charged with any offenses.
Ortiz, nicknamed DJ, worked for Ron & Sons Towin,g which took to Facebook to express both its anger over a violation of New Jersey’s Move Over Law and the loss of a dedicated tower.
“DJ at just the age of 24 was one of our drivers, one of our brothers who was killed on the side of 287 because someone couldn’t be bothered to slow down or move over,” the company said on its Facebook page.
“He was out there doing his job. Helping someone in need. Standing on the shoulder with his lights flashing, clearly visible, clearly working and someone’s complete negligence and lack of attention ended his life in an instant.”