O'FALLON, Mo. — Icy conditions Wednesday morning caused a crash that has left a tow truck driver in serious, but stable condition in the hospital.
In an exclusive interview with 5 On Your Side from his hospital room, John Nelson shared his terrifying journey.
He said the only silver lining to his pain, is that he’s still around to feel it.
“I just laid there yelling and screaming because the pain was so bad and I thought to myself I’d never walk again,” said Nelson.
Nelson was picking up a car who lost control in the icy conditions when the responder became a victim.
“Next thing you know, I didn’t make it to my truck,” he said. “I landed in the slow lane of the highway and the state trooper ran over and grabbed my coat and dragged me to the shoulder. I was in pretty extreme pain.”
Somehow, while waiting for an ambulance, he managed to call both his mother and his boss A-One Towing.
“We knew one day we’d get this phone call, we just never want that phone call though,” said Kevin Morgan, the supervisor at A-One.
Morgan said close calls have happened before, but they shouldn’t if drivers obeyed the Move Over Law.
“I don’t think people understand that includes others besides just the police and fire and ambulances. It includes MODOT and tow trucks out there. Anyone on the side of the road with just a broken vehicle,” he said.
John has a long journey ahead of him.
“It’s the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life,” said Nelson.
He has numerous broken bones, and will be in the hospital for at least another week. He won’t be able to walk for another 3 months after that.
“The weather’s horrible... there’s no reason to drive that fast going anywhere,” said Nelson.
He hopes, any time you see flashing lights on the side of the road, you’ll think of him and his story.
“I hope this affects people in ways that it can save somebody else’s life. Because I’m going to have to deal with this for the rest of my life,” he said.
John is facing a mountain of medical bills, but friends are already rushing into help.
