Update (March 11 at 12:30 p.m.) — The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office confirmed on Friday afternoon that Irael Martinez, the 48-year-old tow truck driver, died Friday morning. The sheriff’s office says that additional charges are likely.
Update: (February 24 at 8:50 p.m.) — The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office announced that they also charged Congel with vehicular assault, assault in the second degree, and driving while impaired by drugs. He was arraigned and released pending pre-trial supervision.
They also share that Martinez is in stable but critical condition.
Update: (February 24 at 4:20 p.m.) — The Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office share that Irael Martinez is still in critical condition at Upstate University Hospital.
Richard Congel, of Clay, was arrested for driving while ability impaired (DWAI) by drugs. He was driving a red Ford Explorer that is now in the custody of deputies.
Update: (February 24 at 3:38 p.m.) — The Onondaga County Sheriff Gene Conway has identified the victim as Irael Martinez, 48, and is in very serious condition. The driver who hit Martinez has been identified as Richard Congel, 76, who failed a field sobriety test, and was charged with driving while impaired by drugs.
(WSYR-TV) — A tow-truck driver is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after police say he was hit by a car passing by.
Onondaga County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Onondaga Lake Parkway around 11:11 Thursday morning after the driver was hit while trying to secure a vehicle to his tow truck. The driver of the vehicle that hit the tow truck driver stayed on the scene and is cooperating with the sheriff’s investigation, according to police.
The tow truck driver was rushed to Upstate University Hospital.
