Thanks to sheriff’s deputy, tow company for Christmas Day service

Published 1:30 am Sunday, January 22, 2023

I’m writing on the behalf of citizens of Snohomish County to thank Snohomish County Sheriff’s Sgt. Zalaya, to recognize what must have required an heroic effort on Christmas Day: preventing an abandoned vehicle from falling into the Snohomish River and creating an environmental and salvage disaster.

Sgt. Zelaya responded to a call from a worried citizen who had spotted the abandoned vehicle, initially on the roadside near the river, but one day later stripped of wheels and tires and shoved from its original spot, teetering now on the steep treeless bank of the Snohomish, only inches from the water of a rising river.

He explained the difficulties of getting it towed on Christmas Day, and with many vehicles still in ditches because of the ice storm of the previous several days. He said he would do what he could.

Less than two hours later Dick’s Towing removed the vehicle.

We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Sgt. Zelaya, the beleaguered towing company employees, and the vigilant citizen who made that call, which must have seemed doomed to failure under those circumstances. Thank you! Thank you.

Don Dillinger

Snohomish