Tulsa wrecker service says the state is playing favorites

A local wrecking company thinks the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety may be playing favorites. <br><br>The Vice President of Abertson Towing and Recovery filed a tort claim against DPS Tuesday. Jim

Tuesday, February 19th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A local wrecking company thinks the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety may be playing favorites.

The Vice President of Abertson Towing and Recovery filed a tort claim against DPS Tuesday. Jim Rice says that when accidents happen on the public roads, DPS is supposed to alternate which companies it calls out to clean up and tow away the vehicles.

He says DPS is violating free trade laws by skipping him when his turn comes up. â€œWhat happens is Iâ€™m sitting out here with $2 million in equipment. We sit for 5 days waiting for our turn on the log, for a rollover, and then we get passed.â€

DPS says it calls the closest available tow truck. Rice believes Story Wrecker gets most of the business because of DPS personal ties to that business. DPS says it calls the closest wrecker available to an accident.

Officials with that agency have 90 days to respond before the case becomes a lawsuit.