An Affordable Towing driver was arrested under suspicion of driving while intoxicated following a low-speed chase in which he fled Greene County sheriff's deputies in a company truck on Monday afternoon.
William Darrell Sipple, 55, was in custody in the Greene County Jail today, Aug. 29.
In addition to suspicion of DWI, he was arrested under suspicion of resisting arrest by fleeing, creating a substantial risk of serious injury to others.
Information released online by the Greene County Sheriff's office did not name the driver of the tow truck.
A February 2020 story by KOLR10 TV on the death of Timothy Williams, an Affordable Towing driver killed on a service call, quotes and identifies Sipple as an Affordable Towing driver.
The Hauxeda called Affordable Towing on Tuesday to confirm the driver was Sipple and to ask — if it was — if he was on duty.
“It was Mr. Sipple and he had (the truck) without our consent,” said a man who would not provide his name.
Stop sticks deflate three of truck's six tires
According to a Springfield police incident report, an accident involving the tow truck was reported at 3:38 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28.
It occurred near Glenstone Avenue and Interstate 44, according to information posted on the Greene County Sheriff's office Facebook page.
“The Springfield Police Department attempted to stop the suspect vehicle but it fled from them,” a post from the sheriff's office reads. “Deputies located the vehicle in the area of Glenstone Avenue and Norton Road, where the suspect vehicle, a red Affordable Tow Truck, continued to drive recklessly nearly striking several parked vehicles.
“The suspect’s driving indicated the likelihood of impairment and a traffic stop was attempted by a Greene County deputy, but the suspect did not stop and fled at a low speed.
“Greene County deputies continued to pursue the suspect due to dangerous and reckless driving.”
Deputies and police set up stop sticks, which deflated three of the six tires on the tow truck.
The tow truck came to a stop near Walnut Avenue and Kansas Expressway and the driver was taken into custody without incident, according to the sheriff's office.
“Due to the dangerous actions, this driver had to be stopped before injuring or killing innocent citizens,” said Sheriff Jim Arnott, according to the sheriff's office.
In March, the owner of Affordable Towing pleaded guilty in federal court to tampering with and disabling the emission-control devices on his diesel-powered tow trucks in order to cut costs.
Dennis Cleveland, 73, of Kirbyville, is scheduled to be sentenced 9 a.m. Sept. 19.
Cleveland and his company are known throughout the Ozarks for widespread advertising, including the phrase: “If you’re afoot and you need a tow, be sure it’s Affordable.”
