Tow-Truck Driver Charged With First-Degree Murder In Road Rage Shooting of Semi Driver
by Jana Ritter - Published: 4/26/2017On Friday, truck driver Eduardo Munoz was just finishing a long day on the road when a road rage incident escalated into him being killed by multiple gunshots. Anthony Tillmon, the tow-truck driver who shot him, has been charged with first-degree murder and is being held on $3 million bail. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life without parole.
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The tragic incident occurred last Friday on I-88 near the suburb of Oak Brook, IL. Prosecutors say that just after 4 pm, 43-year-old Eduardo Munoz of Northlake, FL was driving a red 2007 Volvo semitrailer truck east on I-88 when he encountered 34-year-old Anthony Tillmon, driving a tow-truck in the same direction. While it is still uncertain as to what started the argument, investigators say the two men had no prior ties before the incident. They found video surveillance from a toll plaza about three miles from where the shooting occurred and say it appears the argument started before they entered the toll plaza.
“Several witnesses observed Tillmon and Munoz arguing and driving aggressively next to each other," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin told the court during Wednesday's hearing. According to prosecutors, the fighting escalated as both men continued driving for about three and a half miles when Tillmon allegedly pulled out a handgun and started firing shots directly at the semi. Munoz was struck three times and was able to pull over to the side of the road at milepost 138.5 near the southbound ramp of Interstate 294. He was still alive when emergency personnel arrived on scene and transported him to Elmhurst hospital. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the hospital approximately 90 minutes later.
In the meantime, Tillmon fled the scene but it didn’t long before police were able to link him to the crime through surveillance video, I-Pass records and witnesses. They also found video surveillance from a Wal-Mart in Lansing, showing Tillmon’s parked tow-truck and him being picked up by his girlfriend. Berlin says police recovered a 9mm shell casing from the tow-truck and a green vest inscribed with Tillmon’s nickname, “Hank.” On Tuesday, Tillmon turned himself into authorities and was charged with first-degree murder. His attorney says he has no prior convictions, works full time and lives with his girlfriend and two adopted children.
Berlin says that Munoz lost his life to a senseless murder but he still managed to save other people’s lives by pulling off the road. “Stopping in the middle of the road could have caused a tremendous amount of harm to the public,” he said, noting the heavy traffic at that time of day. “Him pulling off to the side absolutely saved lives.” Munoz had a truck driving job during the week, was a family man and engaged to be married. He was also an active member of his church community. “He was a person willing to do whatever he could just to help other people. He shined," says Pastor Larry Perez.
Sad, no doubt. Always best to diffuse arguments as quicly as possible before someone goes off the deep end. Been quite a number of times in my 2.5million+ miles behind the wheel of a semi that I've backed off, pulled to the shoulder or got off the highway for a minute to give a hothead a chance to cool down.
Thanks Michael - that is definitely great advice for everyone!
That's about the only way you can deal with road rage, since they've come out holding up a cell phone to start videoing I found also works surprisingly. .. Disabled from stroke now and don't have to deal with the madness that's spreading out there, stay safe..
Very true sometimes if I start getting frustrated with other drivers I'll do the same pull over cool off and get some distance from the hot head
I'm 39 and been driving for 15 years.I will say this.Trucking has caused me to age so rapidly! I can honestly say I don't like it out here anymore.Im a fist of rage 24\7.high blood pressure you name it!My whole family tells me they miss the old me.I loved trucking at one time.But I run all north east part of the year so that don't help!One day I feel as if I'm gonna jump out my truck and beat someone's glass out!!PEOPLE ARE BRAINLESS!!GRRRR
In my multi-million miles of driving, I have pulled into Rest Areas, eased through the parking lot, then back to the highway to get away from stupid people. Please, folks, remember there are people who love you and want to see you alive. Don't fall into the trap of the maniacs. May God bless and protect each of you, and yours. Prayers and condolences for the Munoz family. May he rest peacefully.
another idiot who think shooting someone is the answer, now he looses his family and his freedom, instead of just letting it go and move on. what a dumbass!
There isn't any such thing as road rage! It comes down to human rage that just happens to come out on the road. Please put the responsibility where it belongs, on the person, not the thing (road).
That's about the most unintelligent comment yet. "Road Rage" is merely a description of an individual using their vehicle as a result of poor temperament, and do not have the sense to realize that their actions can turn out to be deadly in a split second!
Ronald Wilson, So why not call just "rage"? Why shift the responsibility from the person (human) to a thing (road)? According to your definition, everyone who might just serve a little bit an never leave their lane would be guilty of your definition of "road rage". So i guess my post wasn't as "unintelligent" as you thought.
This is far too common across America. I deal with road rage daily. Thankfully not this extreme, but for what purpose. People are going insane out there on the road and people are dying. I have to wonder what it's going to take for this to stop. I've been driving for 17 years and this is the worse I've ever seen and likely only to get worse.
So, are we gonna hear how you "got your revenge," Tony Lazzara? Had it happen on I-90 just coming into Ohio westbound one evening many years ago. First entrance ramp a young fellow looked to me like he was managing the merge ok, and I had slowed to a bit over 45 to give it to him to get on. Evidently he thought I was "supposed" to get over, leaned out the car window real far flipping me the bird, and just about lost control! All's well that ends well, in that case. :-)
The cop said well how we gonna resolve this, I said if we shake hands and apologize I,ll drive off, while he went and talked to the jerk , with 2 other cops watching me I hurled a big loogie in my hand , we shook hands , the guy just looked at me, lol
Tony Lazzara childish at best
Tony Lazzara, I think I understood that. I met a guy who said he was getting challenged somehow by a gal in the summertime with her windows down. Don't remember exactly what she was doing, but as she was piping him the bird while passing him, he grabbed a "pee" bottled and hurled it out his side window at her. He said he didn't plan on it, but that bottle went right in the car onto her back seat bouncing around there! I sure wish the "war" between truckers and 4-wheelers would cease immediately.
Drove for 35 yrs was involved in a road rage incident witnessed by a cop , he wouldn't arrest the guy because , I lived too far away , it would be a waste of his time, I got my revenge at the end though
So absolutely unbelievable. This has affected the lives of two families. It is better to back off and cool down for both parties.
Always assume the other driver has a gun. Let it go and go on. They're no one to you.
What's he doing with a gun in a tow truck anyway ?? What's real stupid about this situation is that tow truck driver could have just drove off and left that big truck at anytime and chose not too. Now a man is dead and gone from his family and friends and another is in jail and away from his family and friends for 2 minutes of stupidity !!!!
As a retired driver I have seen so much road rage this one was real bad RIP my brother
We as drivers see road rage nearly every single day...sad it has to be like this ...Prayers for the driver's family. ..
Doesn't that area have some of the toughest gum regulations in the country????? R.I.P. driver
Yes IlL does have the toughest laws but when you travel on I 80 you can see signs along the road people are trying to reverse the law. Happy travels hope to meet you sometime.
Still haven't figured out how we went from how it was to this nobody caring about nobody now days.
It starts with push button this push button that, instant gratification, you owe me/us, automated everything to the point that people can't think for themselves. Perfect example is in the Greenville, SC area. Hardly anyone uses turn signals or knows how to make a proper turn without a lane change. Common sense is gone, evidence with the amount of vehicles with no headlights on in the fog or rain and even at dusk. I see at least 6 trailers behind four wheelers every day with either no lights at all or no wires ever hooked up. DOT/ law enforcement should be rolling in $$$ if they did their job. Picture shows me stopped at a light, but neither of those trucks had headlights on. This wasn't even the thick fog.
Charles Conner Yup, I / we all see this stuff like every day now. States have the responsibility of ensuring someone can properly drive & understands the laws before issuing a license but as I see it they no longer care to accept that responsibility & are being allowed to continue this. If it's not their responsibility any longer then since they are 'in control' of issuing them... I don't know who it is that's considered in control now. Seemingly a rediculous question but an honest one.
There's a killer on the road.His brain is jumpin like a toad.The Doors.😁
Not even close
Seriously...give up
Doors silly
Prison time,,,,,, the tow truck driver knew he blew it if he could have gotten away with it he would have but the fact that he got caught on so many cameras he had no choice but to turn himself in...... he did not turn himself in out of remorse or guilt he turned himself in because he knew he was caught
You nailed it.👍🏻
Dennis Johnson. Darrell Nancy Harley Johnson Jr.. Darlene Johnson. Darlene Johnson
So so very sad!
Crazy
Rip driver
So sad
That's messed up man,,
Sad.
Rip driver
Life without parole isn't enough for this asshole. As truckers, we deal with the general public's bullshit on a daily basis. They don't understand anything about trucking and assume it's an easy and lazy occupation. There are way too many impatient and short tempered people driving across these highways in cars, trucks, bikes ect.
The problem between truckers and 4 wheelers wil never end. As we all know if something goes wrong between a truck and a car, they always look at the truck driver as the cause. If people would take the time a realize what a truck driver has to do to avoid a accident with a car, maybe they woud understand. Not to much more we can do to make the roads safer, other than not drive. I think these states need to back off the truckers and pay more attention to the 4 wheelers and the things there doing, you have more car crashes then truck crashes, i've seen a car crash with no other vechiles involved.
Many "wise guys" on here commenting about "road rage", temperment, "hot -heads" and so on....Idiots! Noone can change their genes, NO ONE! I never seen asian or hindu dudes "road raging".....Like i said: genes and cultural/ social enviroment make us who we are, PERIOD!
RIP EDUARDO MUNOZ Heartfelt Prayers to His Fiancé , Family , Friends an Everyone 💕😊😢 This may seem odd to others , but I also Pray for the Tow-Driver that made a very bad choice in life - If He has Family an also Friends I Pray over them too. 🙏 I truly don't understand those who feel the need to take or injure another in life !! 😢 Prayers of Safety for Everyone 💕🙏💕
I'm going to take this opportunity to say that Jesus is what it's going to take to change what's going on in America right now. In the Bible it says God is love and the more we kick him out of our lives the more hate takes over. The change starts with You.
Amen
Put that monkey in a cage and send back to Africa or euthanize! I don't want to pay for his housing for the next 30 years. And for what reason some Mexicans identify themselves with blacks?!
Racism isn't the subject, you're comment should've been kept in your ugly tarnished heart. Using the term " monkey" to refer to afro-american. Black ass would've been understandably descriptive. People learn how to stay on subject! In my 25 yrs of driving, I too experienced much road rage- sadly, from more men than women; however, all were white! Is it the white peoples premise that they got to be 1st on everything, everywhere & over any other race! Hell, they do this amongst themselves on the road! I'm a witness to that everyday, even in my car! How bout this form of "selective road rage", White person driving slow ok, now everyone passing is white too; but when a afro-american pulls alongside & driver began to pass, wha la, white person gases on it! Oh wait, black driver isn't driving a governed truck, so now forced to complete their maneuver even faster because white person wants to race them as to not let black driver get in front of them; but the white loses out cause of lack of power to climb hill now! Now white driver is now mad cause black driver is in front of them. Worst yet is when after 20 minutes or so traffic totally clears for a stretch & that same white driver is trying to run a black truck driver of the road while trying to make it look like the other way around. I-40 EB. mountain ridge b4 entering knoxville, TN. That story happened to me & another damn truck driver at that! When he saw my husband, he didn't back off, he was like now I'll kill two for one swipe attitude! See, I've done stopped & had a break & got back on the the road, my husband was up preparing for his shift soon when white driver suddenly & unprovoked in any way deliberately left his lane into ours! Not knowing it was the same guy at 1st cause now I'm in right lane while they're in left lane, I didn't see that tattoo on their forearm, we taught driver was impaired somehow, so I backed off & hubby said he'll drive. He all set up & rolling when he came upon this driver again ( in the hills) & he did it again! Some places it's easier to see, especially when you know what type of person you're dealing with. Ex.2) Being in a restaurant that isn't busy at all & waitress act like they don't see our black ass sitting in the middle of the dining room & go in the back( kitchen area) and won't even bring you water/ menu. Other white people come in & get good & fast service; or out of a bunch of orders taken & yours was first, waitress don't submit it but wait gil she do all 5 customer(white) & do you think our come first- hell no! YOU SHOULD NOT BE IN THE BUSINESS OF SERIVE IF YOU GOT PREJUDICE ISSUES YOU HAVE LEARNED FROM YOUR FAMILY!
This is just sad now someone is gone because somebody's dumb ass was trippin I say no trial just hang his ass rip driver rest easy now prayers to his family
Raid rage please no one with anger should be able to own a gun ppl like this should never ever had access to one the killer never will be the same. SHAME on his acts he'll die dry like a plant with out Love.
so sad one of our Braothers went out that way, hey Drivers, just pull over, it just aint worth it, rest in peace Brother...
Too many scumbags think a gun is the answer to everything , this killer needs to be executed , I wish I was on the Jury !!!
Lol. They're good at weeding out biased people... & if they miss you @ selection, your co-jurors will learn what you're about real quick. More facts than gut feeling in court venue. But, I understand your feelings. Dudes tow truck is faster, he had no business interacting with truck driver from toll booth spot, he was supposed to be "ghost" from that point on; but he waited & then pulled out the gun & shot several times! To me, that can go 2 ways until one is proven fact. Is it possible, that the mexican got aggressive with a 80k pound vehicle & tow truck guy was severely threatened for his life & shot @ him to stop him from crushing his vehicle? In court all possibilities will be explored & facts presented & making sure all witnesses are credible. Are there any contact damages between the vehicles or just bullet holes in truck? I'm sympathetic that truck driver lost his life, yes; however, until all the dust settle, we'd be wiser not to speculate @ this time. People often flee after an unfortunate engagement; don't predisposes them as guilty , but fear.
Tammie Billy , I drove tractor trailer most of my working career , until I retired , you have no idea what truckers endure out there , There are guys out there , that screw with you cause they know they can do what ever they want , then run off , in their car or pick up truck and you can't catch them , I had it happen to me many times , all that shooter had to was step on the gas and get away , that trucker would never had caught him , there was no need to shoot a poor hard working trucker just trying to make a living for his family . To begin with , the highway is no place for guns , I went all over the United States , and Canada too , and I never carried a gun , and I went into some bad Ghetto areas too , and slept in my truck & never had a problem . But there are asshole drivers out there who love to screw with truckers , because they get their jollies off that way , and they know if that truck hits them they will get rich , truckers carry some heavy accident insurance , thing is , will they survive the crash to sue ?
We are professionals and we know what happens on these roads and we all should know not to engage in this behavior. It never is safe and always solves nothing.
We need the death penalty back in all states. BS with killers living better than many struggling people
He should be put to death. No life prison no tax payer money spent on this oxygen wasting POS.
I don't understand how anybody that does something like that could have any kind of bail no matter how many millions it is
So very sad and sorry for your loss praying for the family
I made it a point to be extremely courteous to everyone. You just don't know what kind of day that person is having.
David, it doesn't matter what kind of a day anyone is having; while driving everyone's priority is safety!
Looks like one of OweBaMao Hussein Bin Lying's, bastard sons to me....
Fry this bastard !!!
Damn shit like this is crazy
What a bitch ass thing to do.
Animal !!!
Praying for you and your family
Rest in peace driver.
Road rage/hate crime? Better not go there, but...
Hang the ducking scum bag!
Animals
This is terrible.
RIP
Smh