Tow truck driver who died in accident identified

The tow-truck driver who died Wednesday night when a flatbed truck he was preparing for a tow rolled on top of him has been identified by the King County Medical Examiner's Office as Shawn Cary McKinney, 44.

The incident began when police were investigating a theft in the Magnolia neighborhood. As part of that investigation, officers called Lincoln Towing to have the flatbed truck impounded, said police spokesman Mark Jamieson.

The McKinney arrived in the 4400 block of 26th Avenue West and determined that the flatbed truck was too big for his tow-truck, so he called for a second, larger tow vehicle.

He was making preparations so that the flatbed truck could be towed when it rolled on him, Jamieson said.

The second tow-truck driver discovered the accident at 10 p.m.