Ky. Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Protect Roadside Assistance Workers

Safety at Work

Frankfort, KY (WorkersCompensation.com) – A Kentucky bill that would protect roadside assistance workers is gaining momentum in the state legislature, after a transportation meeting at the capital.

The legislation, Troy’s Law, introduced by Ky. Reps. Richard White (R-Morehead) and Patrick Flannery (R-Olive Hill) re-introduced the legislation on Sept. 23. The bill, HB 115, allows tow trucks to use rear-facing blue flashing lights while stationary to alert motorists to slow down and move over. The legislation will increase safety for tow truck operators working on the roadside, the lawmakers said.

Flannery, the House Local Government Committee Chair, and White introduced the legislation last year, but the legislation failed to pass. The legislators hope this time, a year after the death of Troy Caldwell, 54, a tow truck driver.

Caldwell died in September 2024 when he was struck by a commercial vehicle while working on the side of the road.

“He was ‘Mr. Safety,’ I mean he was always double checking and re-checking, always decked out in fluorescent gear, I mean he was the one you’d want to be the front man for your safety meeting,” said Bubba Johnson, owner of Bubba's Towing and Recovery.

Since Caldwell’s death, the other driver has been charged with tampering with physical evidence in connection with the crash. Authorities said the driver, Shodmon Yudalshev 29, from Brooklyn, New York, was watching YouTube at the time of the crash. After the crash, he tried to turn off the tablet he was using and hide it during the police inspection of his vehicle.

Johnson said Caldwell’s death makes it harder to get up and go back to work.

“It makes it harder as the tow operator to go out on a next call when you know a friend of yours has had their life taken on a call that’s identical to the one you’re going on,” he said at the time.

Now, Johnson said, tow truck drivers hope others will support them like they support those stranded on the side of the road.

"We're still going to be coming to your rescue. They're gonna need us and we're still gonna be there. We just hope everybody will be there for us too," he said.

The proposed legislation would make people more likely to slow down and pay attention to roadside situations when they see the lights.

"Tow truck operators are out there all the time, whether it be snow or nighttime. And they all have families, most of them have wives and children," Rep. White said.

The legislation would allow tow drivers to use the blue lights only when removing a vehicle or debris. The blue lights would only be used for removing a vehicle or debris from a highway and would not be used while towing a vehicle.

"This is just giving us an extra layer of protection. Other states that have done them, and there's several in the works now, they've seen a difference," Johnson said.

"We don't want to lose a precious soul in an accident and if we can prevent that, and save lives, I think it's important and everybody would want that to happen," Rep. White said.

Tow truck drivers are not the only roadside workers at risk.

In March, a West Springfield, Mass., was charged with manslaughter after a crash killed three roadside workers. Police said Bilal Griffith, 29, was arraigned in Springfield District Court for three counts of manslaughter while operating under the influence and three counts of leaving the scene of personal injury and death, one count of operating under the influence, as well as a number of traffic violations.

According to court records, the vehicle that Griffith was allegedly operating attempted to take an exit ramp on I-91. At the time, a crew was repairing the guardrail near the ramp entrance. The vehicle crashed into the guardrail and struck three crew members, all of whom died from their injuries, officials said. The victims were identified as Igor Costa, 26, of Marlborough, Ryan Almeida, 48, of Brockton, and Raul Bohorquez, 57, of Brockton. Griffith allegedly fled the scene on foot and led state police and West Springfield police on a search for him.

The state police eventually spotted Griffith and gave chase for more than half a mile until he was taken into custody. He was being held on $1 million cash bail.

American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), whom the men worked for, said after the wreck that it will work with authorities as they investigate the incident.

“The tragic incident on March 28, 2025, involving the loss of three Premier Fence employees in West Springfield, is the largest reported work zone fatality in Massachusetts history, according to the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse,” ATSSA President and CEO Stacy Testchner said in the statement. “This heartbreaking event is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those working to keep our roads safe.”

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