Tow truck driver dies, hit by motorist who fell asleep on North Texas highway, police say

A tow truck operator died at a North Texas hospital this week after he was hit by a vehicle whose driver fell asleep behind the wheel, police said.

Grapevine police are investigating the man’s death following the crash on Texas 121 on Tuesday night.

At 11:55 p.m. Tuesday, Grapevine officers were called to the accident scene in the 2000 block of North State Highway 121, in the southbound lanes.

Officers found a man on the roadway with major injuries, and his tow truck with rear damage approximately 30 feet behind him, police said in a news release Thursday.

Officers spoke to the man and provided medical aid until paramedics arrived to take him to the hospital.

A second man who remained at the scene identified himself as the driver of the work truck that hit the tow truck operator. He told Grapevine police that he had fallen asleep and did not wake up until he felt the impact of the crash.

On Wednesday, police were notified by hospital staff that the crash victim died from internal injuries, and they initiated a death investigation. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the man who died as 27-year-old Mohammad Abu Rub.

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The driver who hit Abu Rub was not injured.

No arrests have been made.

Grapevine police said they want to remind the public that extreme fatigue and drowsiness can be just as dangerous for drivers as intoxication. “If you or a loved one are too tired to drive, please pull over or seek another ride,” police said in the release.