Local tow truck company urges drivers to slow down for roadside vehicles

DONNA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A local tow truck company is advocating for drivers to slow down for roadside vehicles after a tow truck driver was struck and killed on the job.

David Zapata was killed Tuesday afternoon after being struck while securing another vehicle onto a tow truck in the shoulder lane in Harlingen. 

Zapata was the owner and operator of Steel Towing.

The team at DJ's Towing in Donna says people need to be aware while out on the road.

According to state law, vehicle emergency lights serve as an indicator for drivers to slow down and move over to another lane.

"How unfortunate it is that something like this has to happen when there is a law in place, especially here in the Valley, it doesn't get enforced," said Jake Barrera with DJ's Towing.

Barrera has been in the towing business for over two decades. He urges people to slow down when they see any emergency vehicle on the side of the road.

"Any kind of emergency vehicle on the side of the road, if you could just scoot over and slow down," Barrera said. "It's the law."

Barrera told ValleyCentral that it can take minutes or up to an hour when DJ's Towing is out on a call.

It all depends on the job. It can be a tire change or assistance at the scene of an accident.

"I've been on the highway doing a roadside, and people are passing by inches, not even feet, inches," Barrera said. "30, 40, 50 miles an hour."

Move Over or Slow Down was signed into state law in 2023, requiring drivers to switch lanes or reduce their speed when they see an emergency vehicle on the shoulder of the road.

Barrera says people should reach out to their local lawmakers to push for stronger legislation that will protect the towing community.

ValleyCentral went on a ride-along with the Texas Department of Public Safety, which was enforcing the state's Move Over or Slow Down law.