Woman ticketed after tow truck confrontation

05:33 PM CST on Wednesday, January 5, 2005

By Janice Williamson / 11 News

Mayor White on 11 News at 5

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Road rage has a whole new meaning in Houston where many drivers believe the city's new tow policy is highway robbery.

KHOU

Police gave Doris Martinez three tickets after a confrontation over the city's new tow law.

You don't have to understand Spanish to know Doris Martinez was angry Wednesday morning.

"He doesn't have to be like that, taking advantage of us," Martinez said in her native language. "I work every day. I'm not a delinquent."

Transtar cameras captured her trailer on the side of the Katy freeway after a tire blew out. A Safe Clear wrecker was called for a mandatory tow.

Martinez allegedly argued with a police officer and then stepped between the tow truck and her trailer.

Police tell us the officer grabbed Martinez''s arm to move her away from oncoming traffic.

"I believe the officer used extreme constraint and it's unfortunate he had to do what he had to do but we believe he handled it well," said Lt. Robert Manzo with HPD.

Martinez tells a different story.

"I got a ticket because I touched him and said 'you need to relax.' And I said it because he first pulled me," Martinez said.

The officer gave Martinez three citations for a class C assault, failure to show an ID and failure to obey an officer.

"We're going to court to appeal this ticket because it's not fair," said her cousin. He was bleeding after pulling out his fingernail while rushing to change the tire.

"He (the officer) made me change the tire for his own pleasure," said the cousin.

In the end, the SUV was towed anyway.