The threat of the job for those at Collette’s Service Center, in Perryville, was merely something that sat in the back of drivers’ minds.
“It’s a dangerous place. The road and highway – it’s a dangerous place to work,” Todd Collette, the son of the tow company’s owners, said.
But that danger was pushed to the forefront Sunday Todd said after one of his own was hit and killed.
“…a good guy. Couldn’t have been any better and didn’t deserve it,” Todd said about fallen tow truck driver Brian Williams.
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Williams, 51, also volunteered for the city’s fire department.
He responded to call for a stalled Chevrolet Camaro along I-95 at around 10:30 a.m. when suddenly a jeep plowed into him.
“Hazards were on, reflective gear was on, his shirt – gloves were even reflective. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t have been seen,” Todd frustratingly said.
Maryland State Police say the driver, 37-year-old Eric Schlerf, lost control of his Jeep Cherokee for ‘unknown reasons.’
None of which are good enough for Todd.
“…hurt, hurt. There’s a couple of drivers who came in and turned around and left. It’s not the same because now you’ve got that fear. A lot more,” he said.
A paranoia that Todd says is tough to shake, especially when something so tragic happened to so good of a guy.
“He didn’t deserve it. The good guys never win,” Todd said.
Brian leaves behind a wife and daughter.
Police are still waiting on the state attorney to see if Schlerf will be officially charged.
