Tow truck employee accused of stabbing co-worker arrested

A tow truck worker was taken into police custody after he allegedly stabbed his co-worker while the two were driving on the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley, stole the truck and tried to run his co-worker over, the California Highway Patrol said Tuesday.

The stabbing took place Sunday, just before 5:15 p.m. on the westbound 60 Freeway, west of Moreno Beach Drive, the CHP said in a press release. Two employees of Hadley’s Tow were involved in an argument inside of the truck when the passenger, 38-year-old Francisco Garcia, stabbed the driver multiple times with a screwdriver, authorities said.

The driver pulled the truck over on the righthand shoulder and exited the vehicle, the CHP said. Garcia then moved into the driver’s seat and attempted to run the injured driver over before fleeing the scene, authorities said.

The stabbing victim was taken to Riverside University Health System with moderate injuries, the CHP said.

On Monday, Garcia was located at Cahuilla Casino Hotel in Anaza and was taken into custody by the CHP along with the U.S. Marshals Service, the CHP said. He was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and attempted murder, according to Riverside County jail records.

“The safety of the motoring public is our top priority,” said CHP Captain Levi Miller. “The CHP takes any incidence of highway violence very seriously and actively investigates each one with the end goal of arresting those responsible.”

The tow truck has not yet been recovered, authorities said.

Any witnesses who may have seen the incident are encouraged to contact Officer Niko Le Beau at 951637-8000.