10/09/2026
The Next Time You See Flashing Lights, Move Over. Think of Ben Moore.
Ben Moore is a heavy-duty tow operator with Doug Yates Towing & Recovery in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is a husband, a dad, a brother, and an uncle. On October 1, while responding to a disabled tractor-trailer on Interstate 24, Ben was struck by a passing vehicle. The driver has since been cited for violating Tennessee's Move Over Law.
Ben took every precaution his job requires. His amber lights were on, his reflective warning triangles were out, and he was in high-visibility gear. All Doug Yates heavy-duty drivers complete Traffic Incident Management (TIMS) training, and select operators are also TRIP certified. Despite every one of those protections, a distracted driver nearly took his life.
The Road Ahead
The list of injuries is long. Ben's right leg below the knee was shattered. His left leg is broken, along with a fractured hand and a fractured left foot. He has deep wounds across his left leg, thigh, and hip that had to be cleaned and closed. He is facing at least one more surgery in the coming weeks.
Today, Ben is spending three to four hours a day in physical and occupational therapy, relearning how to stand and walk. Right now he needs help with everything, including getting to the bathroom. In his own words: "This is going to be a long road. A long road that I'm scared of."
His immediate goal is a simple one: to stand up and take five steps on his own by December 31.
Ben estimates he is at least twelve months from being back behind the wheel of a heavy-duty wrecker, and it could be longer.
Why This Matters to Every Driver
Tow operators work only a few feet from traffic moving at high speeds. They work in the rain, in the dark, and in the cold, so that someone else's bad day can end safely. Every state has a Move Over Law, but a law only works when drivers follow it.
When you see flashing lights on the shoulder, whether it is a tow truck, a police car, an ambulance, or a road crew, do four things: slow down, move over, put the phone down, and pay attention. Ben did everything right the evening he was hit. The only thing that failed was the distracted driver.
How You Can Help Ben and His Family
Ben's family, and his family at Doug Yates Towing & Recovery, have rallied around him. You can help too. His family has set up a GoFundMe to assist with his recovery: gofundme.com/f/support-ben-moores-recovery.
If you cannot give, please share this post. Somewhere tonight, another operator will be standing on the side of a highway helping a stranger. The next life saved could be because someone read Ben's story and remembered to move over.
Ben, we are pulling for you. Five steps by December 31. Then the next five.
