Man drove stolen tow truck up to 84 mph with operator ‘hanging’ on back, OR officials say
A man accused of driving “recklessly” in a stolen tow truck with the operator “hanging onto the back” was convicted of assault and other charges after a trial, Oregon prosecutors said.
Eric Strietzel, 38, faces at least 70 months in prison, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office said in a Jan. 24 news release.
He’s scheduled to be sentenced in February.
McClatchy News reached out to his attorney Jan. 27 and was awaiting a response.
Strietzel is accused of taking an idling tow truck in July 2023 in Portland and driving it at speeds reaching 84 mph, according to prosecutors and news reports.
The tow truck hit several vehicles and a guardrail before stopping, KPTV reported.
Tow truck operator Travis Christ was towing a car when Strietzel climbed in his truck and took off, KGW8 reported. Christ said during trial that “instinct” kicked in and prompted him to jump on the back as Strietzel drove away, the outlet reported.
Christ called police while on the back of the truck, according to KOIN.
In the news release, Deputy District Attorney Chris Shull said that Christ “could have easily been killed” in the incident.
“I think the jury took the evidence seriously and returned a verdict that reflected the seriousness of the defendant’s conduct. They concluded this wasn’t just reckless but that (Strietzel) knew he was going to cause physical injury to” the tow truck operator, Shull said.
Strietzel was found guilty of one count of second-degree assault, two counts of third-degree assault, unlawful use of a vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, first-degree theft, four counts of recklessly endangering another person, second-degree criminal mischief and failure to perform the duties of a driver, prosecutors said. He was acquitted of first-degree robbery and second-degree kidnapping charges.
This story was originally published January 27, 2025 at 11:16 AM with the headline "Man drove stolen tow truck up to 84 mph with operator ‘hanging’ on back, OR officials say."
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