Car Insurance

Brookfield A 17-year-old boy killed when a car fell from the rear of a tow truck and landed on top of him was working as a youth apprentice through Waukesha West High School despite a state law that prohibited him from operating the truck.

Joshua D. Reif of the Town of Genesee was attempting to remove a car from a tow truck when the accident occurred Tuesday evening. He was later pronounced dead at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa.

Reif never should have been operating the truck, said Rose Lynch, communications director for the state Department of Workforce Development.

Wisconsin law prohibits a minor, apprentice or otherwise, from operating a truck over 6,000 pounds and from operating or assisting someone else who is operating a hoisting mechanism, Lynch said.

Tow trucks are over 6,000 pounds and use a hoisting mechanism, she said.

Minors are also prohibited from operating a motor vehicle of any size as part of their regular duties, and they cannot drive at night, Lynch said. A minor should not be operating the truck as part of his regular job, she said.

The accident occurred just before 7 p.m. Tuesday at the impound lot for Dennis’ Service Inc., at 4435 N. 127th St., according to Brookfield police.

A man who answered the phone Wednesday at the Brookfield-based towing company told a reporter that the business would not comment.

Reif’s parents, John and Mary Reif, declined to comment Wednesday, according to a family member who answered the phone at their residence. Waukesha West Principal Douglas Straus said he was unaware that Reif, who was an automotive apprentice receiving credit and pay for the work, would have been prohibited by state law from operating the tow truck and its mechanism.

“We will certainly be reviewing that,” Straus said. “That will certainly be part of our conversation.”

Students in the apprentice program attend classes for half of the school day and then go to their jobs for the remainder of the day, Straus said.

Long a part of program

Reif has been part of the school’s technology program since he was a freshman, receiving the program’s Student of the Month honor just last month, Straus said.

Straus announced Reif’s death Wednesday morning. Counselors and social workers were present for anyone who needed them, he said.

About 40 to 50 students went into the auto shop with instructor Todd Behnke for two hours Wednesday to talk about Reif, Straus said.

Behnke, who set up the apprentice program, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

Reif’s friends posted messages Wednesday on a Web site he set up at myspace.com:

“It wont be the same without you man, many good times you will be truly missed. RIP: 120″

“We miss you, big guy.”

“Josh-You were definetly one of the funniest guys i knew. You made econ. way more interesting…and i will miss you forever because of it. you became a really good friend to me, and i will NEVER forget you…RIP…we all love you. Kate”

Brookfield police, who are investigating the death along with the state Department of Workforce Development and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said a co-worker was at the impound lot and attempted to use the tow truck to lift the car off Reif but was unsuccessful.

The co-worker called 911, and rescue personnel pulled the boy from under the vehicle and brought him to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa, where he was pronounced dead by hospital staff.

OSHA will be examining the equipment, training and overall condition at the scene, said George Yoksas, area director for the federal agency. The agency also will look at any laws related to child labor, he said.

An autopsy late Wednesday showed that Reif died after the weight of the car prevented him from breathing. His death was ruled accidental.