Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
FARMINGTON — A tow truck company is rallying around one of its drivers, Tyler Schofield, and his family after a sheet of metal flew through his windshield and left him in the ICU with life-changing injuries.
The Utah Highway Patrol is investigating where that piece of metal came from and hoping the public can help shed light on what happened.
It doesn't matter if he's towing something or not. Kody Kirkham, owner of DeWaal and Sons Towing, always spends five to 10 minutes walking a lap around his tow truck before driving away, to make sure everything looks good.
On Monday, he pointed out what he checks — from tire lug nuts and bolts, to securing chains.
"You're looking for things that are loose on your vehicle," Kirkham explained.
He wants to make sure nothing flies off, especially when Kirkham is driving highway speeds.
"It could save a life and help prevent injuries, damages," he said.
For someone who knows the importance of securing a load, now, Kirkham can feel it.
He and his crew can't help but think about what happened to his employee, Tyler Schofield, on April 20. Kirkham said Schofield was leaving work and heading north on Legacy Parkway, approaching Farmington, and the onramp to I-15 north in the middle of the day. Suddenly, a piece of metal sliced through the windshield in front of Schofield's face.
"It had to be moving really fast," Kirkham said. "It's really dangerous and that was really scary."
The Utah Highway Patrol believes the large sheet of orange-colored metal may have gotten kicked up from the roadway by another vehicle, but investigators aren't sure if it fell directly off of another vehicle or where it came from.
Schofield managed to pull over to safety, even with the piece of metal in his face.
"It was surprising he was able to stop the truck and not hurt anybody," Kirkham said.
Schofield's brother, Tristen Schofield, said Tyler Schofield lost his right eye and may lose his left.
"It was devastating," he said.
He has been by his brother's side in the ICU.
"They have his mouth wired shut. He had to have full facial reconstruction and everything," Tristen Schofield explained.
Tyler Schofield can't speak, but he can write on a notepad, and Tristen Schofield said Tyler Schofield didn't suffer any brain damage.
They're just glad he survived and he's making progress. On Sunday, Tyler Schofield was able to take a few steps in his hospital room.
"The doctors are all amazed, and he's actually a warrior, you know, he's been sitting there going like this ever since," Tristen Schofield explained, putting his arms in a double biceps body builder pose to demonstrate. "Just trying to show everybody that he's going to be all right."
DeWaal and Sons Towing is supporting Tyler Schofield and his family the best they can, fundraising and checking in daily.
The family also has a GoFundMe* account set up to help Tyler Schofield with medical expenses.
"He's part of our family and it's got us all shook up," Kirkham said.
They're hoping someone can help Utah Highway Patrol figure out where the piece of metal came from, or who may have seen what happened on Legacy Parkway between 12:30 to 1:30 pm on Thursday, April 20, at the I-15/U.S. 89 interchange.
Kirkham and Tristen are also urging others to make sure they check their vehicles if towing or hauling anything in the back. Or, if someone sees debris on the road, they are urging people to call dispatch right away to report it.
"You're responsible for that as a driver, to make sure that your load is secure," Kirkham said.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
