Mesa man run over, killed by own work truck

MESA, AZ - A freak accident and his "time to go" are the only ways a Mesa family can make sense of the tragic circumstances taking 61-year old Lane Dale Hallows' life.

"The truck and trailer was parked here when it all happened," said Hallows' son Jackson. "It's such a mystery of why it would happen. Why it would be going in reverse while he's out of the truck."

The family and Mesa police believe Lane Hallows had left his landscape truck and trailer in park and running on the street while he walked up to unlock the side gate.

But for some reason they say the truck slipped out of park and into reverse.

"I believe that he realized the truck was rolling backwards," said Jackson Hallows. "He went to stop the truck and must have tripped or fell or something and he went down and that was the end of it."

A neighbor found Lane a few minutes later, pinned under the front wheels, but it was too late.

He died at the scene.

The family thinks a transmission problem is to blame. Ironically, Lane was planning to take his truck in to get fixed that day.

But instead of dwelling on sadness, his sons are remembering the father of six, and grandfather of 21, who ran a small landscaping business and always gave back.

"He looked for positive in everything and the way he served other people is what I remember best," said Jackson.

Son Luke Hallows thanked his dad for leading with a good example.

"We'll miss you," he said.

Funeral services for Lane Hallows will be held on Saturday, January 15 at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 613 N. Stewart in Mesa.

The Hallows family says a memorial account will also be set up at Desert Schools for donations.