Overview

This video shows a tow truck from Lion Country Automotive (Lewistown, PA), USDOT #2104211, improperly towing my 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The tow truck lifted the front wheels, leaving the rear wheels on the ground and spinning, causing tire marks on the public road. Critically, the tow truck driver asked me to remain inside my Jeep during this unsafe towing operation. This action posed a significant safety risk as I had no control over the vehicle while it was being moved in this manner.

Watch: Jeep Incident

Jeep Tow Incident Details

Safety Violations During Tow

On Sunday, June 1, 2025 I contacted State Farm for roadside assistance to tow my low-mileage, custom-built 2020 Jeep Gladiator to a certified dealership 32 miles away. The issue—a dead battery—was not urgent, and scheduled for mid-day.

When the tow driver arrived, I immediately said to the driver that the truck was not a flatbed, which is typically required for this type of vehicle. Despite objections and research shared on the spot, the driver insisted on front-wheel towing and attempts to manually place the transfer case into neutral. This does not meet the vehicle's towing requirements.

Critical moments:

When the driver was unable to get the transfer case into neutral, I was instructed to get into the Jeep Gladiator and shift while the driver attempted to tow it.
The video shows the driver moving forward a few feet and then me approaching the driver to retrieve my key fob. The driver had the Jeep keys in his pocket and I was unable to operate the Jeep when he pulled it forward.
I returned to inside the Jeep while it was lifted and he started moving again, an action that I wouldn't know was dangerous until it occurred.
The Jeep vehicle violently bounced and shook as it was dragged forward while being hooked to the tow truck.
Dashboard warnings activated mid-tow, including system errors and other alerts.
Attempts to halt the tow were ignored. I waved and honked, but the driver continued into the public road.
When the driver finally stopped, I immediately exited the vehicle to assess the situation.
The driver continued to pull the vehicle into the public road in front of oncoming traffic.
An oncoming red Dodge Pickup Truck pulling a trailer had to abruptly stop due to this incident.
The driver exited his tow truck swearing and yelling. He only then showed me the dolly equipment he had on his truck.
He then proceeded to hook the back tires of Jeep onto a dolly in the middle of road

📹 Video documentation: Watch Jeep Tow clip on YouTube

Incident Photo Gallery

Lion Country Automotive (Lewistown, PA), USDOT #2104211 Tow truck hookup process – June 1, 2025

Jeep was pulled ~92 feet

Public road with tire markings

Rear wheels being placed on dolly

Lion Country Automotive (Lewistown, PA), USDOT #2104211

This was not just a mishandled tow—it put my safety at risk. Accountability remains unresolved.

Next Steps & Advocacy

I've filed formal complaints with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, the PA Insurance Department, and other parties. My goal is to ensure no one else is subjected to such negligence. Read more Documents