O’FALLON, MO – A local tow truck driver was hit and seriously injured by a vehicle while on the job Wednesday morning.
John Nelson, 30, was hit by a car while he was on the scene of a minor guard rail crash on WB I-70 near Hwy K in O’Fallon, Missouri.
Nelson has multiple broken bones from the neck down.
State troopers said the driver who hit Nelson lost control of his car on icy roads, but that driver has not been arrested or charged.
Nelson said this incident did not scare him away from doing the job he loves and plans to return to work at A-One Towing after he recovers.
“I love helping people, I love knowing that me doing my job is getting that person home safely,” Nelson said.
Although Nelson said he is upset this happened to him, he is not surprised. He said tow truck drivers, along with any other roadside crews, face extreme danger daily.
After surviving being hit by a car, Nelson said he has a renewed perspective on life.
“If there’s one thing I can learn from this whole experience, it’s to wake up every day and kiss the ones you love, and just know that it could be your last day,” Nelson said.
Panda Motors Works is holding a public car cruise as a fundraiser for Nelson on Sunday. All proceeds will go toward paying Nelson’s medical expenses. The cruise starts at the West Commuter Lot at Hwy 94 and Hwy 40 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
