Article Courtesy of The Sun Sentinel

By Mike Clary

Published January 26, 2013

The Keiser University associate dean run over by his own car as he tried to stop it from being towed "was dragged by the tow truck for several hundred feet" prior to his death, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday.

Elias Konwufine, 38, died at Broward Health Medical Center on Jan. 16 about two hours after a tow truck hooked up his car, parked in front of his Lauderhill home in apparent violation of homeowners' association rules.

After trying to talk to the driver, Konwufine "grabbed hold of the tow truck as it began to leave because as the tow truck left it swerved into him and was going to run him over," alleges the suit filed by his widow, Francisca. He was dragged "until he could no longer hold onto to the truck because it continued to accelerate and he was run over by his own vehicle…"

The complaint alleges the driver "gunned" the truck's engine as he pulled away from the home in the Sienna Greens development.

Named as defendants are Superior Lock & Roadside Assistance, based in Plantation, and its driver, identified only as John Doe.

A woman who answered the phone Thursday at Superior Lock & Roadside Assistance said no one was available to comment on the allegations.

The driver, who identified himself only as Ken in interviews with two television stations on the night of the incident, has a history of "violent, aggressive and dangerous behavior," says the complaint, and "had brandished a firearm at the development only weeks before the incident during another towing call."

The suit also alleges the towing firm's "employees had a history of using threats and/or violence and needlessly aggressive tactics against the residents of Sienna Greens."

Filed in Broward County Circuit Court, the suit outlines eight counts of negligence and liability in seeking unspecified damages.

Lawyers for Konwufine allege the company and driver violated both state and county laws requiring the tow truck driver to stop "when a person seeks the return of the vehicle...," as Florida statute states.

The homeowners association, which employed the towing company, was not named as a defendant.

"I don't believe for the price of a tow it's ever worth running over someone," said attorney Vidian Mallard. "The driver should know that at some point you stop."

The death remains under investigation by the Lauderhill police.

Konwufine was a father of three children who with his wife, a chemistry teacher at Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach, had lived in Sienna Greens for six years.

A viewing will be held Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m. at Fred Hunter Funeral Home, 2401 S. University Drive, Davie. Burial will be in his native Cameroon.

Death of college dean in tow truck accident shocks community