Lubbock Wrecker practiced two-stage towing behind a supermarket on the corner of University and First Street during Texas Tech home football games as portrayed by video. 

KLBK News spent several weeks following the towing practices of Lubbock Wrecker and found that it would tow cars, drive them to the back of the supermarket and load them onto flatbeds that were waiting there.

We showed our videos to the The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and asked whether it was legal.

“When a vehicle is towed, it has to be taken to one of two places,” TDLR officer Todd Forrester said, “to a licensed vehicle storage facility or a place agreed upon by the owner or operator of the vehicle.  So, no [it’s not legal]” 

TDLR said based on what officials saw in the KLBK videos, the taking of vehicles to the back of a supermarket and loading them onto flatbeds is illegal.

A vehicle storage facility is a lot licensed by TDLR where vehicles are authorized to be towed. 

According to the TDLR website, the back of a supermarket is not on the list of licensed vehicle storage facilities in Lubbock.

Lubbock Wrecker’s vehicle storage facility is listed as a lot at 3209 Slaton Highway.  

Why Does This Matter?

Forrester said towing to the back of a supermarket is not allowed for several reasons, but mostly because it can damage a vehicle.
 
“Our main thing is that vehicles need to go to a licensed vehicle storage facility to be sure that the vehicles aren’t being left in a staged [area],” Forrester said, “that they aren’t being left in a certain location and then taken to another at a later point in time.   And again for vehicle damage we also need to know who was in contact with the vehicle.”
 
Lubbock Wrecker Says No
 
We approached Lubbock Wrecker with our videos and mangers didn’t want to talk on-camera. 
 
An attorney for the company sent us the following statement.
 
“Lubbock Wrecker Service implements a two-stage towing process by which a smaller tow truck, sometimes referred to as a “quick pick” or as a “wheel lift”, is used to remove an illegally parked vehicle from a “tight” parking lot and then takes the towed vehicle to a more open area.
 
“The towed vehicle is then transferred to a larger tow truck called a rollback, which is used to transport the towed vehicle to Lubbock Wrecker Service’s vehicle storage facility. This practice is perfectly proper and does not violate any applicable statute or regulation.
 
“The two-stage tow process is neither unlawful nor dishonest. Lubbock Wrecker Service does not charge two tow fees and never leaves the towed vehicle unattended for any period of time. The two-stage tow process implemented by Lubbock Wrecker Service is done for practical purposes, including safety and ease of towing.
 
“The rollback trucks are extremely large vehicles and are difficult to maneuver in tight spaces such as crowded parking lots on game days. “Lubbock Wrecker Service fully expects the TDLR investigation to be resolved in its favor . because it has done nothing that would violate any applicable statute or regulation.
 
“Lubbock Wrecker Service has become the largest wrecker service in Lubbock because of its excellent dependability, superior customer service, and because it is simply the best in town. Lubbock Wrecker Service has developed an excellent reputation in town and is proud of its employees, practices, and services.”
 
While Lubbock Wrecker does have an excellent rating with the South Plains Better Business Bureau, it also has 18 open complaints with the State. 
 
After the KLBK News interview with TDLR, a spokesperson sent us the following statement:
 
“After viewing the video footage sent by KLBK the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has opened a complaint against Lubbock Wrecker and is performing an investigation into the matter.”
 
An attorney for Lubbock Wrecker said his client fully expects the TDLR investigation to be resolved in its favor.
 
And in regards to the two-part towing during the next Texas Tech home game, Lubbock Wrecker said the following.
 
“Lubbock Wrecker Service will continue to comply with all statues and regulations, as it always has, and will do whatever is appropriate and safe, under the particular circumstances of each tow call.”
 
 
Consumer Rights
 
Consumers who feel their cars or trucks have been illegally towed, Forrester said there are several steps with TDLR or a local Justice of the Peace to get towing fees back.
 
The state regulates that the maximum fee for a private property tow is $250 plus other fees and taxes.
 
“You can take it to JP Court and there are two tow hearings you can go to and then you can get reimbursed,” Forrester said.
 
Reimbursement of $1,000 plus three times the cost of the tow can add up to nearly $2,000.
 
For more information on how to file a complaint and  consumer tow rights click here.