Houck’s niece, Terri Skipper, speaking with 10-TV News, said it would be unforgivable if drunk driving was the cause.

“That man stole my uncle,” she said.  “He stole him. He stole him from my aunt. He stole him from my cousins. And I don’t know that I can ever forgive that.”

Another driver was struck on Sept 29, this time in broad daylight along Interstate 271 just south of Dayton.  While changing a tire on the passenger side of the vehicle, away from immediate traffic flow, the driver was struck by a semi that suddenly swerved into the work area.

The impact tossed the driver into oncoming traffic, though he was not hit again.  Both lanes of the interstate were closed to allow for air transport of the patient.  His injuries proved not to be life-threatening, and his name has not been released.

In 2009 Ohio changed the language of its ‘Move Over’ law to include towing professionals.  Under the law, drivers who do not reduce speed or change lanes when approaching a roadside response scene may be ticketed.

Despite this the problem persists, and can be especially dangerous among professional truck drivers.

“They’re going at 65 to 70 mph, and if a tire blows, or they look down for a second, our life could be gone,” says Dave Vaughn of Vaughn Towing of Columbus.  He spoke with the Chronicle-Telegram while distributing t-shirts that remind people of the ‘Move Over’ laws.

Jim Shriner, who owns and runs Broad & James Towing likened the loss of Houck to that of a brother.

“I tell these guys, be careful out there.,” he says.  “I’ve been out there. I see the cars.. People don’t care.”