FORT VALLEY, Ga. — A Fort Valley tow truck driver is asking for help finding the hit-and-run driver who hit him on I-75. The Peach County Sheriff's Office confirms that it happened January 24th near the Housers Mill Road exit. 13WMAZ talked to Michael Howard, who suffered serious injuries and wants the public's help.
Howard says he loves being a tow truck driver, but what happened along I-75 really shook him up. His one hope is that whoever hit him will come forward.
"What if I was laying there? What if I was dead?" Howard said.
He has more questions than answers.
"I went to load the truck, got it loaded on my flatbed, I started to -- I always pay attention to the slow lane to make sure everybody is getting over," Howard said.
Howard says he turned all his emergency lights on and even put on a reflective vest for safety.
"Out of nowhere, I guess, they (the car) swerved from the middle lane or the fast lane, and swerved over to get on Housers Mill Road and struck me," Howard said.
Howard suffered injuries to his hip, pelvis, and ankle.
"I was thrown up under my tow truck, and I knew that I had to get out and get to safety, so I relocated my ankle the best that I could because my customer was in shock over there -- he couldn't move, he was in shock," Howard said.
According to a crash report we obtained from the Peach County Sheriff's Office, Howard was sent to the hospital. The report said a witness told deputies that a "white car" hit Howard heading down I-75 south.
"Whoever it is, I ask you to man up and come forward, take responsibility for what you did to me," Howard said.
Right now, Howard is in a lot of pain, but he says he hopes this story reminds drivers to pay attention on the road.
"Slow down and move over, when you see the orange-and-white lights, the amber lights flashing, slow down and move over, please," Howard said.
Howard says throughout this whole entire process, his company, Underwood Towing, has been very supportive in helping him get through this, and he is looking forward to getting back on his tow truck by mid-February.
If you have any information that can help deputies call the Peach County Sheriff's Office at (478) 825-3435.
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