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Man Killed After Tow Truck Causes Chain-Reaction Crash in Boca Raton
A tragic accident in Boca Raton on Monday afternoon left one man dead and several others injured when a tow truck slammed into vehicles stopped at a red light. The crash highlights both the devastating consequences of driver inattention and the potential liability issues that may arise when commercial vehicles are involved in fatal collisions.
According to the Boca Raton Police Department’s Traffic Homicide Unit, the crash occurred just before 12:30 p.m. on the 5800 block of N. Federal Highway near Jeffrey Street.
At the time of the collision, three vehicles — a Jeep Cherokee, a Hyundai Elantra, and a Ford Escape — were stopped at a red light. A tow truck traveling northbound failed to stop in time and plowed into the back of the Ford Escape. The impact set off a chain reaction, pushing the Escape into the Elantra, which then collided with the back of the Cherokee.
The driver of the Ford Escape, 61-year-old Michaelangelo Dibari, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene. Police also confirmed that two occupants of the Hyundai Elantra were transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The tow truck driver was not reported injured, and the investigation remains ongoing.
While police have not released a final determination, crashes of this type often stem from several contributing factors:
- Distracted Driving: Commercial drivers are sometimes distracted by dispatch communications, GPS, or mobile phones.
- Speeding or Following Too Closely: Large trucks require greater stopping distances than passenger vehicles.
- Driver Fatigue: Tow truck operators often work long hours, and fatigue can impair reaction time.
- Mechanical Failure: Brake problems, poor maintenance, or overloaded trucks may prevent safe stopping.
Investigators will likely examine the tow truck’s brake system, black box data, and driver logbooks to determine if negligence, mechanical defects, or safety violations played a role.
Legal Implications and Wrongful Death Claims
The family of Michaelangelo Dibari may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit under Florida law. In such cases, surviving family members can pursue compensation for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical costs related to the crash
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and support
- Mental pain and suffering
- Loss of financial contributions the deceased would have provided
If the tow truck driver was negligent — for example, by driving distracted or fatigued — he may be held personally liable. However, because the driver was operating a commercial vehicle, the tow truck company could also face liability under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, which holds employers accountable for the negligent actions of their employees performed within the scope of their employment.
Additionally, if improper maintenance or equipment failure is uncovered, the company responsible for maintaining the tow truck, or even the manufacturer of defective parts, could share liability.
The two occupants of the Hyundai Elantra who suffered injuries also have the right to file personal injury claims. Even though their injuries were non-life-threatening, they may be entitled to damages for:
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages from time off work
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical care, if needed
Florida’s two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death and personal injury claims means families and survivors must act quickly to protect their rights.
Crashes involving large commercial vehicles like tow trucks often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities due to the sheer weight and force of impact. For grieving families, legal action is not only about pursuing compensation but also about holding negligent parties accountable to prevent future tragedies.
At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we have extensive experience handling complex trucking and commercial vehicle accident cases across Florida. Our attorneys work with accident reconstruction experts and investigators to uncover the truth and fight for the full measure of justice that victims and their families deserve.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a commercial vehicle accident in Florida, call us today at 305-638-4143 for a free, confidential consultation. We charge no fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.