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PROVO — A man was booked into the Utah County Jail after getting into a confrontation with a tow truck driver over a boot placed on his car.
Garrett Barfoot had recently moved into the Branbury apartments, 449 W. 1720 North, when police say he got into an argument with tow truck driver Clint Black on March 12.
"He basically got in my face and started swearing and saying, 'I'm suicidal and will mess you up,'" Black said.
He basically got in my face and started swearing and saying, 'I'm suicidal and will mess you up.'
–Clint Black, tow truck driver
The tow truck driver said he explained to Barfoot that there was nothing he could do.
"He got vulgar and belligerent with me, and so I told him I was going to leave and he could call me when he calmed down," Black said.
That's when the altercation escalated.
"I tried to actually drive away," Black said, "and he jumped into the car and tried to steer me into parked cars."
The altercation left Black with scrapes and bruises and Barfoot in handcuffs. Barfoot was booked into jail for investigation of robbery, assault and unlawful detention.
Provo police say the best thing someone can do during this type of situation is to call them and not take the law into their own hands.
"This situation totally could have been avoided by calling us," said Provo Police Lt. Mathew Siufanua. "The way that he (Barfoot) handled the situation was just (the) wrong way to do it."
Siufanua said officers would have gladly responded to determine whether Barfoot was legally parked.
Barfoot is now out of jail and will have a court appearance Wednesday. The man's roommate said Barfoot has been evicted from the apartment complex.
Provo Mayor John Curtis said he has heard several complaints about vehicles being towed. The mayor has led an effort to better define towing and booting laws in the state, trying to balance the rights of property owners with those who are getting stuck with hefty fees to get their cars back.
State lawmakers passed HB115 during the 2013 Legislature. If signed by Gov. Gary Herbert, it would require towing companies to accept credit cards, instead of cash only, and provide car owners with a bill of their rights.
"More work needs to be done, but this is a good start," Curtis said. "I don't want to minimize this. This is momentum this has brought up a dialogue across the whole state about towing. All of those things are good, so I'm pleased that it's happened."
