Spirit Ride honors local fallen towman

Law enforcement, firefighters and first responders from Tucumcari, New Mexico and beyond joined in a mile-long procession July 18 through Tucumcari as part of the Spirit Ride honoring those who have died on the nation's highways.

The Spirit Ride features a ceremonial casket, part of the American Towman Magazine's efforts to promote the awareness of the Move Over law that is often ignored on our nations highways, according to their website.

Linda Unruh, president of the local based All-Rite Towing, knows first hand the importance of the Spirit Ride and its vital message of slow down, move over.

Unruh's son Bobby Unruh, 37, was killed on Feb. 19 at mile marker 318 on I-40 near Montoya.

At the time of the accident Unruh was attempting to tow a commercial vehicle on I-40 that was broken down.

The casket was transferred to an All-Rite Tow Truck, one that Bobby operated, and was transported to a ceremony at the Tucumcari Convention Center.

Linda said the trip was not scheduled to come through New Mexico until 2018, but after learning of Bobby's death the organization changed the route.

"I thank everyone who came out to honor Bobby and the memories of those who have died," Unruh said. "This event is not just about a memorial for my son. It is about raising awareness for first responders on our nation's highways so all of us can go home."

Raising the public awareness of the Move Over Laws is the primary goal of the Spirit Ride, said Mike Corbin, Spirit Ride spokesman.

Corbin said as the event travels across the country more and more people are becoming aware of the law. He said only by spreading the word about the law can it be truly effective.

Following Bobby's death, Linda campaigned and worked with local legislators for the passing of Senate Bill 76. The law dubbed "Bobby's Law," imposes criminal sanctions, include jail time, for failure to pull over to the inside lane when encountering an emergency vehicle including law enforcement, ambulance operators and tow trucks outside of the road.

Bobby's Law was signed into law on April 6 by Gov. Susana Martinez.

"I can only hope that Bobby's Law will help to keep all first responders safe," said Lt. Burt Hinders, New Mexico State Police.

Hinders said the next important step needed is to educate the public about the law. He said only through education of the public and enforcement of the law can a difference be made.

"I want to thank Linda, her family and the public for all of their efforts to get this law passed," Hinders said. "We fellow first responders will do all we can to ensure this law is successful in saving lives."

Rep. Dennis Roch a law such as Bobby's Law should have been in place without such a loss in the first place.

Roch said Bobby's death was not only a loss to his family, but to an entire community. He said with the law in place will be Bobby's legacy to ensure the safety of the lives of his fellow first responders.

"Bobby would have been stoked to see so much support for the safety of first responders," said Zach Phillips, All-Rite co-worker and friend.

Phillips said it is sad that the "move over" law sat in the legislator for four years without support, and sadder that it took his friend's death for the legislators to take action.

"It's an amazing event, one we are all proud to have come through Tucumcari," Phillips said. "Now it's up to us all to spread the word about this law."

Following Tuesday's memorial the ceremonial casket was loaded onto a Tow truck from Ortega's Wrecker Service out of Santa Rosa for the next portion of the trip.

The memorial trip is being coordinated with more than 250 towing companies transporting the casket across the country and back to New York.

Started in 2017 is scheduled to be completed in 2018 involving more than 5,000 tow truck and emergency service vehicles.

More information about the Spirit Ride can be found at http://atspiritride.com.