Governor Gianforte Dedicates Tow Operator Memorial in Three Forks

• September 09 2025

THREE FORKS, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today joined the Montana Tow Truck Drivers Association to dedicate a memorial in Three Forks that honors the lives of tow operators killed in the line of duty in Montana.

“This memorial stands in honor of the tow operators who risked their lives to help others in a time of need,” Gov. Gianforte said. “May this also serve as a reminder to all motorists in Montana to slow down and move over when approaching stopped vehicles and emergency responders on our roadways.”

Gov. Gianforte cutting the ribbon on a tow operator memorial in Three Forks

The memorial was built to honor the lives of two Montanans who were struck and killed while responding with towing support at an accident on Interstate 90 near Columbus in October 2020, and the lives of three other tow truck drivers killed in Montana since.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, nationally, a tow truck operator is struck and killed every 6 days. The memorial was built by the association to recognize those lost and educate Montana drivers on slowing down and moving over for emergency and service vehicles, including tow trucks, when stopped on the side of a road.

“This Memorial was built to recognize all responders and educate the public about the Slow Down-Move Over Laws and is the first and only state memorial dedicated especially to honor those towing and recovery operators who served, and that those lives taken in the line of duty are no longer forgotten,” said Scott Wolff, President of the Montana Tow Truck Association.

In 2001, the Montana Legislature passed, and the governor signed into law, an act that requires motorists approaching stopped emergency vehicles with emergency lights to slow down and proceed with caution. In 2023, a new law was passed in Montana to expand the law to apply for drivers approaching a stationary emergency, towing, maintenance, or construction vehicle, indicating that they must slow down and move over to a further lane, if available.

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