In a harrowing scene that unfolded in the early morning hours at a quiet apartment complex in North Memphis, a tow truck driver narrowly escaped death after being deliberately run over by a car owner desperate to prevent his vehicle from being repossessed. The incident, which occurred around 8 a.m. on Wednesday at University Gardens Manor Apartments, was captured on video and has since spread like wildfire across social media, leaving viewers stunned by its sheer brutality. The victim, identified as Phil Pacman Guy, posted the footage himself on Facebook, where it has garnered over a million views, sparking outrage and disbelief.
The confrontation began as a routine repossession job. The tow truck driver was tasked with retrieving a red 2011 Ford Focus, a vehicle that had apparently fallen behind on payments. He was underneath the car, securing it to his tow truck, when the situation took a violent turn. According to the Memphis Police Department, the car’s owner emerged from the apartment complex, sprinting toward the vehicle with clear intent. Without hesitation, he leapt into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and threw the car into reverse. The tow truck driver, still positioned beneath the vehicle, had no time to react as the wheels rolled over his head and arm in a sickening crunch that was caught in vivid detail on camera.
The video is difficult to watch. It shows the driver lying helpless on the pavement as the car backs over him, the tires leaving visible marks on his body. A dark streak across his sweatshirt and abrasions on his forehead serve as grim evidence of the trauma he endured. Even more chilling is the apparent indifference of the car owner, who sped away from the scene without so much as a glance back to check on the man he had just injured. Adding to the chaos, a woman nearby can be heard yelling, “Hurry up!” moments before the suspect fled. By the time police arrived, she had vanished, leaving authorities with more questions than answers.
Emergency responders rushed the tow truck driver to Regional One Medical Center, where he was treated for serious head injuries and arm pain. Witnesses at the scene described him struggling to remain conscious, his body battered but miraculously still alive. Medical staff have since reported that, despite the severity of the incident, he is expected to make a full recovery—a testament to both his resilience and the swift response of paramedics. The physical scars may heal, but the emotional toll of such a brazen attack could linger far longer.
The incident has reignited debates about the dangers tow truck drivers face on the job. Repossession work, often carried out in tense and unpredictable circumstances, can quickly escalate when owners confront drivers over the loss of their vehicles. In this case, what began as a standard assignment turned into a life-threatening encounter, highlighting the risks these workers take to earn a living. Community members have expressed sympathy for the victim, with many calling for harsher penalties for those who resort to violence in such situations.
Police are now searching for the suspect, described only as a man driving a red Ford Focus. The investigation remains active, with authorities reviewing the video evidence and interviewing witnesses to piece together the full sequence of events. Meanwhile, the viral footage continues to circulate online, drawing attention not only to the driver’s ordeal but also to broader issues of safety and accountability. For Phil Pacman Guy, survival is a small victory—but one that came at a steep cost. As he recovers, the city of Memphis watches and waits for justice to be served.