IRU member recounts being struck by distracted driver

When Derek Parish started his regular shift one sunny day two years ago, he wasn't expecting a near-death experience.  

As a member of ADOT’s Incident Response Unit, sponsored by GEICO, Parish is tasked with looking for highway debris and assisting stranded motorists.

On April 23, 2023, he was dispatched to a crash on Interstate 17 southbound at Thomas Road.

"I (was) in the very back of the closure - I'm off right," he said from the cab of his work truck recently.  "No less than, like, three seconds later, all I see are headlights in my rearview mirror ... and then I got hit."

The vehicle struck Parish's work truck with him inside.

"It rear ended me - pushed me about 50 yards."

Unfortunately, it's something that is all too common for tow truck drivers, first responders and road workers. They arrive at work, thinking it's going to be another regular day, and then they get hit by someone who's on his or her phone, distracted by the radio, or speeding past.

Many don't realize that Arizona has a law that outlines how a motorist is expected to proceed through a crash scene, construction zone, or past a traffic stop.

So, with Oct. 18 being national “Move Over Day,” we’re reminding motorists that the law (ARS §28-775 E-1-2) requires drivers to safely merge to an adjacent lane on a highway with two or more lanes when a police or emergency vehicle are stopped near or on the road. The law was drafted as a result of the increase in the number of injuries and fatalities to those working to protect the public - police officers and emergency personnel.

The law recognizes that sometimes it is impossible or the second lane does not exist to move over. Those situations call for reduced speeds and proceed with extreme caution.

Parish said he wished more drivers would heed the Move Over law, and limit distractions when driving. He said he commonly sees people speeding past his truck when he's pulled over to the side of the road. 

"Just slow down," he said. "Put your phone down. Focus on driving. You're going to get to your destination safer and I'm going to be able to do my job safer as well."