Editor’s Note
This article reflects the personal perspective of the author, written in the interest of public safety and awareness. It is intended to honor the responders who have been lost and to inspire action among all who share the responsibility of keeping our roadways safe.
Nine responders. Nine families shattered. Less than one month. We’re not losing them by accident; we’re losing them by inaction.
In less than one month, nine emergency responders and roadway workers have been struck and killed while serving the public. These are not accidents or crashes, These are choices—by distracted, speeding, or impaired drivers—and every single one was preventable.
The list of the fallen grows longer almost by the day. Each line in this timeline represents a responder, a worker, a protector—someone who was simply doing their job when their life was taken. Fire, law enforcement, towing, EMS, road service, and transportation professionals—every discipline has been impacted. Each one is a name, a face, a family, and a story that should have ended differently.
September 26 – South Carolina: Tow operator killed while assisting a disabled vehicle.
October 4 – Maryland: Tow operator struck loading a vehicle.
October 6 – North Carolina: road service technician killed while servicing a disabled dump truck on I-95.
October 7 – California: Tow operator killed in a hit-and-run on the 110 Freeway.
October 10 – Arkansas: 18-year-old road-service technician killed in a hit-and-run on I-40.
October 16 – Ohio: Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper, killed providing traffic protection.
October 20 – California: La Mesa Police Officer struck and killed while assisting at a prior crash.
October 23 – Oklahoma: El Reno Police Sgt. critically injured while helping a pedestrian; his family continues to pray for a miracle and plans to honor his wish to be an organ donor if his condition does not improve.
October 23 – New Jersey: Roadside service technician in Hope struck and killed moments after arriving to help a disabled tractor-trailer.
Each line above represents a name, a face, a family—and a story that should have ended differently.
A Pattern We Can No Longer Ignore
Every one of these incidents followed the same tragic rhythm: flashing lights, a roadside scene, and a driver moving too fast or not paying attention. These aren’t isolated tragedies; they are symptoms of a national safety crisis that has reached a breaking point.
When we lose a responder, the impact ripples outward—across crews, departments, and families who will never be the same.
Be the Voice
If you work on the roadway—speak up. Demand safer scene lighting. Demand blocker vehicles. Demand policies that put safety before convenience. If you’re a driver—be the difference. Slow down. Move over. Put the phone down.
Don’t wait for another funeral to remind you what’s at stake. Be the one who speaks when others stay silent. Be the Voice your community needs.
Responsibility Starts With Us
We ask the public to drive smarter, but we must hold ourselves to that same standard. Every agency, every department, and every company that operates on the roadway needs a plan, a policy, and a purpose before the next call comes in.
Train every member. Use the right protective equipment. Establish solid blocking and lighting procedures. Embrace technology that saves seconds—and lives. From digital alerts and blocker units to high-visibility gear and standard operating procedures that make safety the first step, not the afterthought, we owe it to each other to make safety our culture, not our wish.
A Final Thought
Every cone, every flare, every flashing light on the shoulder marks a human being at work—someone’s spouse, parent, child, or best friend. They step into danger for us. The least we can do is give them space to live.
“Each one a name, a face, a family—and a story that should have ended differently.”
Dedication
This article is dedicated to the hundreds of emergency responders who have lost their lives while helping others—and to the thousands of loved ones they have left behind. May their sacrifices never be forgotten, and may their memory drive us all to do better, every lane, every time. Updated October 25, 2025.