Family speaks out as tow truck driver shot on 210 Freeway remains in critical condition
A California tow truck driver remains in critical condition after being shot while responding to a roadside assistance call on a freeway, as his family appeal for support during what they describe as a desperate time.Jorge Arias Mayen was attending a AAA service call on the eastbound 210 Freeway near Grand Avenue in the San Gabriel Valley on 3 July when he was shot. Authorities said it is still unclear what led to the shooting.According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), deputies had been looking for the driver of a Volkswagen SUV in connection with a possible assault on the tow truck driver. Mayen was struck by gunfire and suffered life-threatening injuries.The suspected gunman fled the scene, triggering a police pursuit that ended at a petrol station near Arrow Highway and Citrus Avenue in Covina at about 3am. Officers said the driver got out of the SUV carrying a handgun, prompting a law enforcement shooting. The suspect later died in hospital.Investigators have not released further details about the events that led to the attack, and the case remains under investigation. Mayen’s family said he is the sole provider for his wife and their 15-year-old son. As he continues to fight for his life in hospital, relatives say they remain hopeful that he will recover.A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the family meet mounting medical expenses and everyday living costs while Mayen is unable to work.“They live in a trailer in West Covina, and Jorge’s income was their only source of stability,” the GoFundMe page reads. “With Jorge in the hospital, his family is struggling to cover medical bills and basic living expenses. The situation is urgent, and they need support from their community more than ever. Any prayers, donations, or shares will make a difference for Jorge’s wife and son.”As of Sunday night, the fundraiser had collected more than $21,000.In a social media post following the shooting, Jan’s Towing confirmed that one of its employees had been involved in a “very serious on-duty incident.”Tow truck drivers in California have faced a number of serious incidents over the years while assisting stranded motorists. One of the most notable cases occurred in May 2002 near Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, when a tow truck operator responding to a disabled vehicle on Interstate 5 was shot several times as he approached the motorist. A nearby US Marine came to his aid under fire before the suspect was later killed in a confrontation with police and military personnel. The driver survived after being airlifted to hospital.Not all incidents have involved targeted attacks. On 31 May 2023, a 41-year-old tow truck operator was killed after being struck by a passing vehicle while loading a disabled car on a California interstate at night. A state workplace safety investigation found that working close to moving traffic and the absence of a protected work zone were key factors in the fatal crash.Another fatal roadside collision occurred on 31 December 2023, when a 64-year-old tow truck driver was hit and killed while recovering a disabled vehicle on a California highway. Investigators urged stronger roadside safety measures, greater public awareness of the state’s Move Over law, and closer coordination with law enforcement to better protect tow truck operators.
