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Tow truck crash in Taylor injures 3, damages multiple vehicles

Neighbors are shocked by the carelessness after the driver fled the scene, damaging at least seven vehicles and injuring three people.

TAYLOR, Pa. — "Oh my god, wow. Yeah, I'm amazed it didn't hit my wife's truck." said Dan Carson. 

Carson's street in Taylor looked like a demolition derby Tuesday night, after police say a tow truck carrying two junk cars crashed into multiple vehicles. 

According to police, the driver of the truck was Joey Hood of Duryea. The damage started after Hood allegedly hit a white pickup truck, Police say he then continued down Union Street, hitting more cars and injuring several people.

"From where he is to here, it's probably a tenth of a mile. I mean it's downhill of course, but he had to be traveling at a pretty good rate of speed in order for these vehicles not to stay put when they came off." Said Ronald Gaughan. 

Ronald Gaughan, of Taylor, and his wife came home a day after the accident to learn 3 people had to be rescued from a car right outside their home. Police say Hood veered into oncoming traffic following the first wreck, which lead to this vehicle being pushed into a wall. 

Credit: Amanda Lewis

Reports show the three people from the same family were taken to the hospital. 

"They had to take the top of the vehicle off to get them out and I guess they are in the hospital now, but we were very concerned first of all about them and then secondly of course the property." said Gaughan. 

Police say Hood fled the scene even though both the cars he was towing had fallen off the flatbed following the crashes.  But officers later arrested Hood at Joey's Auto Service and Towing after a witness said he saw the cars being loaded there before the accident.

"He should be held fully accountable; he should serve time. Plain and simple, people could've been killed. There is no excuse for what he did." said Carson.

Hood is currently being held in Lackawanna County Prison facing several charges relating to the injuries and damage the crash caused. 

At least seven vehicles were damaged. 

Newswatch 16 did reach out to Joey's Auto Service and Towing. An employee says the business is still open.

 

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