Towing company rallies around driver hit by metal sheet on Utah highway

FARMINGTON, Utah — A tow truck firm is rallying round certainly one of its drivers and his household after a sheet of steel flew by his windshield and left him within the ICU with life-changing accidents.

The Utah Freeway Patrol is investigating the place that piece of steel got here from and hoping the general public may also help them make clear what occurred.

It doesn’t matter if he’s towing one thing or not. Kody Kirkham, proprietor of DeWaal and Sons Towing, all the time spends 5 to 10 minutes strolling a lap round his tow truck earlier than driving away, to verify all the things appears good.

On Monday, he identified what he checks — from tire lug nuts and bolts, to securing chains.

“You’re in search of issues which might be unfastened in your automobile,” he defined.

He desires to verify nothing flies off, particularly when Kirkham is driving freeway speeds.

“It might save a life and assist stop accidents, damages,” he stated.

For somebody who is aware of the significance of securing a load, now, Kirkham can really feel it.

He and his crew can’t assist however take into consideration what occurred to his worker, Tyler Schofield, on Thursday, April 20. Kirkham stated Schofield was leaving working and heading north on Legacy Parkway, approaching Farmington, and the onramp to Interstate 15 north in the midst of the day. All of the sudden, a bit of steel sliced by the windshield in entrance of Schofield’s face.

“It needed to be transferring actually quick,” Kirkham stated. “It’s actually harmful and that was actually scary.”

UHP believes the massive sheet of orange-colored steel might have gotten kicked up from the roadway by one other automobile, however they aren’t certain if it fell immediately off of one other automobile or the place it got here from.

Schofield managed to tug over to security, even with the piece of steel in his face.

“It was stunning he was in a position to cease the truck and never harm anyone,” Kirkham stated.

Schofield’s brother, Tristen Schofield, stated Tyler misplaced his proper eye and should lose his left.

“It was devastating,” he stated.

He has been by his brother’s facet within the ICU.

“They’ve his mouth wired shut. He needed to have full facial reconstruction and all the things,” Tristen defined.

Tyler can’t communicate, however he can write on a notepad, and Tristen stated Tyler didn’t endure any mind injury.

They’re simply glad he survived and he’s making progress. On Sunday, Tyler was in a position to take a couple of steps in his hospital room.

“The medical doctors are all amazed, and he’s truly a warrior, you realize, he’s been sitting there going like this ever since,” Tristen defined, placing his arms in a double biceps physique builder pose to show. “Simply making an attempt to indicate everyone that he’s going to be alright.”

DeWaal and Sons Towing is supporting Tyler and his household the perfect they will, fundraising and checking in every day.

The household additionally has a GoFundMe* account set as much as assist Tyler with medical bills.

“He’s a part of our household and it’s acquired us all shook up,” Kirkham stated.

They’re hoping somebody may also help UHP determine the place the piece of steel got here from, or who might have seen what occurred on Legacy Parkway between 12:30 to 1:30 pm on Thursday, April 20, at milepost 11.5 on the I-15/US 89 interchange.

Kirkham and Tristen are additionally urging others to verify they verify their automobiles if towing or hauling something within the again. Or, if somebody sees particles on the street, they’re urging individuals to name dispatch straight away to report it.

“You’re liable for that as a driver, to be sure that your load is safe,” Kirkham stated.

*KSL TV doesn’t guarantee that the cash deposited to the account can be utilized for the good thing about the individuals named as beneficiaries. In case you are contemplating a deposit to the account, you need to seek the advice of your personal advisors and in any other case proceed at your personal danger.