Tow truck operator stood outside vehicle when passing car struck him
December 26, 2025 | Greenville, SC
A 63-year-old tow truck operator lost his life after being struck by a vehicle while working along a roadside in Greenville County.
Robert Lewis Jeter, 63, died days after he was struck by a passing car while adjusting equipment on a tow truck in Greenville County.
What Happened in the Crash?
Robert Lewis Jeter was adjusting a chain on his tow truck to pull a vehicle from a ditch on Old Piedmont Highway when a passing car hit him on Dec. 26.
- Victim: Robert Lewis Jeter, 63, of Greenville
- Location: Old Piedmont Highway, Greenville County, South Carolina
- Date: Dec. 26
- Incident Details: Jeter was preparing to tow a vehicle stuck in a ditch
- Outcome: Transported to Prisma Health-Greenville Memorial Hospital, and died on New Year's Eve
- Driver Charges: DUI involving death and DUI with great bodily injury
- Investigating Agencies: South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) and Greenville County Coroner's Office
The crash occurred as Jeter performed routine roadside assistance duties, highlighting the dangers faced by highway workers.
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Roadside workers like tow truck operators are vulnerable to passing traffic, especially when drivers are impaired. Drunk driving remains a leading cause of such tragedies, with factors including speeding, distraction, and failure to yield.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol-impaired driving contributed to thousands of fatalities in recent years.
Crash Statistics Overview
Statistic |
Details |
Source |
|---|
Daily Drunk Driving Deaths |
34 lives lost per day in the U.S. |
NHTSA |
2023 Alcohol-Impaired Fatalities |
12,429 people killed |
NHTSA |
Roadside Worker Vulnerabilities |
Impaired drivers often fail to notice workers |
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) |
Preventable Incidents |
All alcohol-related deaths are avoidable |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
These figures underscore the urgent need for stricter enforcement and public awareness to protect roadside personnel.
Legal Insights
In cases such as this involving impaired driving and roadside incidents, thorough investigations are essential to uncover all contributing factors, including blood-alcohol levels.
“Drunken and drugged drivers face criminal charges after accidents that harm or kill others,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal. “Families may also pursue civil compensation against the at-fault party.”
Key takeaways from legal perspectives on DUI crashes:
- Independent investigation can reveal additional elements like driver impairment tests
- Civil actions help hold reckless drivers accountable
- Attorneys guide families through claims for medical costs, lost companionship, and emotional distress
- Wrongful death suits apply when negligence, such as DUI, leads to fatalities
“A wrongful death occurs when negligent acts cause a person's passing,” noted Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “In vehicle crashes from unsafe driving or impairment, families can seek justice through civil means.”
Newsline emphasizes the importance of professional guidance in navigating these complex situations.
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If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a drunk driver, national legal analyst Candice Bond offers free consultations to guide you.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).