Great Neighbors: Denny’s Service
A Great Neighbor in the Chubbuck/Pocatello area will make sure you and your car get home safely if you have had too much to drink.
This is the 25th year Denny’s Service Inc. has provided this service. The five drivers that work there will pick you up at any time for free and make sure you get home safely. They call the program TOWED, for Towing Operators Working to Eliminate Drunk Driving.
Denny’s is a family operation of a mom, dad, a brother and two sisters. They have been in the wrecker service for 50 years, and seen things no one should have to see. And that’s why they decided that during the holidays, they will get drunk drivers home safely.
“Tow companies used to be first responders,” said controller Deann Wilson. “They didn’t have the Jaws of Life, so tow operators pulled people from wreckage. We’ve seen so much property damage and loss of life due to drinking and driving we really want to prevent that.”
“We offer a free ride home for you and your car from Dec. 14 to Jan.1,” said manager Travis Jones. “Anybody that’s too drunk to drive. Anyone that’s had too many drinks. We tow them home, and they’re home safe.”
“We have frequent callers. We have people that call us every night for a free tow home,” said Wilson.
Another reason this family is so dedicated to taking care of folks over the holidays: They lost their brother Brad to a drunk driving accident.
“He was coming over Fish Creek and was hit head on with a semi,” said Stephanie Perry, office manager.
During the nearly three weeks of free towing, they average about 100 calls.
“Pocatello has been good to us for 50 years, and this is our service project for the year,” said Wilson.
Jones said the company has never had a problem with anyone being too drunk to be nice. He said most of the people that call are very jolly.
The number to call for a free tow through Jan. 1 is (208) 237-0671. Your car has to be operation, and you have to be in the Chubbuck/Pocatello area.
“If we can go out and even save one life in a year that we do this towing program, then it’s worth it,” said Perry.
More information on the towing program can be found at http://www.dennyservice.net/towing-in-pocatello.html.
