Tow truck lights shine to remember worker’s death a year ago

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Downtown Grand Rapids was lit up Wednesday night in memory of a tow truck driver who was killed a year ago near Caledonia.

Keagan Spencer was a tow truck driver who, in November 2023, was helping someone stuck on the side of M-6 near Kraft Avenue when he was hit and killed by a driver.

Wednesday's event, part of Project Night Lights, brought about 100 tow trucks together downtown to bring awareness to Spencer's story and tow truck driver safety. Spencer's father, Matt Spencer, is the executive director of Move Over Michigan, a movement that aims to bring awareness to the safety of roadside workers.

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"The young man that struck and killed Keagan was speeding and distracted and we at Move Over Michigan know that we have a big problem with the driving public today," said Matt Spencer. "We are just asking the public to be aware that we are out there, all sorts of weather. It's very dangerous working the white line, and that when you see emergency vehicles, any flashing lights, first thing: slow down. Just slow down."

Matt Spencer said the movement does not just aim to protect tow truck drivers but all roadside service workers, like mail carriers, police officers, firefighters and trash service providers.

"Anybody that's working on the side of the road, we want (drivers) to give them a chance to survive out there," Matt Spencer said.

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The lights from the trucks driving downtown during Project Night Lights are also something that kids in the nearby children's hospitals enjoy.

"It gives them something to look forward to and then just see all the flashing lights. And it's just been a great event to be a part of for the last few years. Unfortunately, we're here on the circumstances of Keagan's death, that they've kind of turned it into a memorial for him as well," said Andrew Heykoop, secretary of Move Over Michigan.

You can learn more about the organization on MoveOverMichigan.com .