Tow-truck drivers pay tribute colleague killed on Schuylkill to
LOWER MERION » Hundreds of tow-truck operators took part in the funeral procession to honor Michael House, 32 a tow-truck driver for K & S Towing and Recovery in Havertown who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver as he was assisting a disabled motorist on Interstate 76 at mile marker 338.6 in Lower Merion last week.
House’s casket was secured to a K & S flatbed tow truck as it passed under an arch of two heavy duty tow trucks with the American flag suspended above as it arrived at Westminster Cemetery, not far from where he was killed. More than 100 tow trucks followed in a procession with police stopping traffic as they made their way from the Ridge Avenue Funeral Home to the cemetery. Tow operators from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware took part.
House leaves behind a wife and two sons, ages 7 and two months. A GofundMe page to help House’s children has been set up with over $19,000 raised.
A witness to the Schuylkill hit-and-run provided a description of the striking vehicle to Pennsylvania State Police and by 1 a.m. Monday, alleged hitand-run driver Emmanuel Doxy, 35, of Philadelphia, was in custody at the Belmont barracks, spokesman Trooper Timothy Greene said.
“He was a good-hearted guy,” Steve Fusaro, owner of K & S Towing said of House. “He was a gentle giant, meek and mild. He would say hello to everybody.”
“Tonight our family at K & S Towing and Recovery lost a good man, father, son, husband, and brother in the line of duty,” reads a message on the K& S Facebook page, posted early Monday. “We want to express our sincerest gratitude to those who have and will reach out. Please hold your loved ones a little tighter today and say a prayer for the family.”
While Fusaro has owned the company for 10 years, he’s been a tow truck driver for 30 years and has experienced a few close calls himself, including on I-76.
“It’s a dangerous road,” he said.