‘It’s scary to work out there on these roads and it’s getting worse’
Tow truck operators and safety advocates in Ontario are renewing calls for stronger protections after a second roadside death involving a tow truck driver in less than a month, CTV News reports.
On the night of Dec. 27, 2025, Ontario Provincial Police were called to Wellington Road 26, between Sideroad 27 and Sideroad 30, after a vehicle struck a tow truck operator who was assisting another driver in Wellington County, according to CTV News. The victim has been identified as 39-year-old Khodayar Azimi.
Earlier in the month, on Dec. 3, 2025, a Kitchener tow truck operator was killed in a hit-and-run on Highway 401 near Drumbo, CTV News reported.
Vigil in Milton draws industry support
Friends and family of Azimi gathered in Milton on Saturday, along with nearly 100 tow truck operators, to mourn his death and raise awareness about the need for motorists to slow down and move over for emergency and roadside vehicles.
“It’s scary to work out there on these roads and it’s getting worse, and that’s the problem” said Gary Vandenheuvel, president of the Professional Towing Association of Ontario, in an interview with CTV News.
Vandenheuvel said nearly every tow truck operator has experienced near-misses while working at the roadside and is concerned that many drivers are still not changing their behaviour.
“We’re a close-knit community. All the drivers know each other across the province, and it affects us. We live this every single day driving out here,” he said.
‘Slow down, move over’ law
In Ontario, it is the law to slow down and move over for emergency vehicles, including tow trucks, when their lights are flashing. Renders said he believes stiffer penalties are needed to keep workers safe at the roadside.
“It should be a $10,000 [fine]. It’s our lives. We’re representing another family that lost a loved one. They shouldn’t have,” Renders said, according to the report.
Azimi’s friends and family told CTV News he had lived in Canada for eight years and had been preparing to travel back to Iran in January for his brother’s wedding. He is remembered as a hard worker and loyal friend who cared deeply about his family.
