TowNews Posted June 26 Share Posted June 26 Tow truck operator suffers major injuries in hit-and-run while loading vehicle on the side of I-10 The search is on for a driver who struck a tow truck operator on the side of the freeway near Palm Desert early Monday morning. The crash happened at around 1:00 a.m. on the westbound side of Interstate 10, east of Cook Street. According to the California Highway Patrol, the preliminary investigation shows that a tow truck driver was loading up a vehicle when he was struck by a vehicle. The tow truck operator suffered major injuries and was taken to Desert Regional Medical Center, CHP confirmed. RESOURCE LINK Family raising funds for tow truck operator seriously injured in hit-and-run on I-10 The family of a tow truck operator seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash in Palm Desert is raising funds to help with medical expenses. Johnny Sofranko, a tow truck operator, was struck by a vehicle while helping a stranded motorist on the side of the Interstate 10 highway in Palm Desert, east of Cook Street, Monday at a little after 1:00 a.m. "Johnny was in the process of loading the car onto his truck when the incident occurred. Johnny was hit and thrown approximately 20 feet into the air. The driver of the vehicle that hit him did not stop. Currently, there is an ongoing investigation to find and bring this person to justice," writes his mother, who started a GoFundMe page. Sofranko was rushed to Desert Region Medical Center in Palm Springs with major injuries. According to his mother, he is in critical condition after suffering multiple rib fractures, liver lacerations, and damage to his kidneys. The search for the vehicle that struck Sofranko continues. If you have any information, call the CHP Indio station at 760-772-5300. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Valley Crimestoppers at 760-341-7867. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rreschran Posted July 2 Share Posted July 2 According to a GoFundMe page for California tow operator Johnny Sofranko; he sadly has passed away from his injuries suffered when struck by an early morning motorist who fled the scene. A GoFundMe page has been set up on the family's behalf. A vigil is being held tonight at 8:30 p.m. with attendees gathering at the Del Taco at 39500 Berkey Drive in Palm Desert. Please send your support to the Sofranko family if you can see fit. GoFundMe: Fundraiser by LaDonna Sofranko : Johnny Sofranko has succumb to his injuries please help (gofundme.com) Vigil and procession to be held in honor of local tow truck driver killed in hit-and-run crash - KESQ Also note, in 2018, tow operator jon Israel, working for the same company was struck and killed in the same region in August 2028. Christine and I send our prayers to the Sobranko family. Would you please keep them in our prayers too? Quote Randall C. Resch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5towman Posted July 5 Share Posted July 5 So sorry to hear this. Our heart goes out to his family and friends. We will keep them in our prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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