AAA Tow Truck Driver Strands Customer Over Biden Bumper Sticker

November 11, 2020, 6:48 am

A tow truck driver who allegedly refused to help a stranded customer due to his car sporting a Joe Biden bumper sticker is suffering the professional consequences after video of the incident went viral.

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Nate Estes did what many people do when they wind up stranded on the side of the road — he called AAA. They sent out a driver from a nearby company to help him and his friend out, but instead, when the man saw Nate’s bumper sticker, he decided to leave them there.

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Nate didn’t capture the moment where the man refused to help him, but footage uploaded to TikTok shows the tow truck driver wordlessly taking off his jacket and getting back into his car as Nate and his friend both record.

“Hi, don’t know this mans [sic] name but he refused service to us for our Biden bumper sticker and tried to run us over shortly after this video,” reads Nate’s caption on the since-deleted TikTok.

Though he didn’t get the man’s name, Nate did manage to get a shot of the license plate, and the name of the company — River’s Edge Automotive and Towing — was clear on the side of the truck.

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This AAA employee is refusing to tow a car with a Biden sticker on the vehicle. Let’s make him famous… pic.twitter.com/TBZu8gk44X

— Claudia Silver (@claudia_silver7) November 9, 2020

The idea of a tow truck driver being so willing to abandon a customer on the side of the road over a bumper sticker that merely expressed support for a political candidate is horrifying, and people were not keen on letting this incident go unnoticed.

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Many shared that they AAA customers themselves, and either called to complain or threatened to cancel their memberships.

Keep in mind folks I’ve had the truck pictured in my bio towed 5 times when I’ve had my tires slashed. AAA never refused I had 1 time where the guy refused to speak to me but he still towed my truck

— Laura Di Bella (@LauraDiBella15) November 9, 2020

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I subscribed to AAA a couple months ago, cars and RV, around 140$-if I can’t get service cause if my political leaning (blue “Country over Party” sticker on bumper makes it clear) then I will refund the balance and go to Good Sam (unless they do the same, then I’ll ck AllState)

— OldBritMGs (@SMCarolina1) November 9, 2020

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AAA heard them, and investigated the incident.

In a series of tweets, the Oregon/Idaho division of the company confirmed that they would no longer be working with the driver involved, and said that River’s Edge Automotive and Towing had “disciplined” him in some way.

1/2 At AAA, we stand for community and for our members. AAA does not tolerate this type of behavior. The tow truck driver at River’s Edge Automotive and Towing has been disciplined by River’s Edge management. AAA is working with River’s Edge to ensure this type of behavior… https://t.co/vQFjVj7ih8

— AAA Oregon/Idaho (@AAAOregonIdaho) November 9, 2020

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Update: The Rivers Edge Automotive and Towing driver will no longer be working with AAA.  We deeply regret the experience and inconvenience to the member. We are committed to providing a safe and welcoming experience for our Members

— AAA Oregon/Idaho (@AAAOregonIdaho) November 10, 2020

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*First Published: November 11, 2020, 6:48 am