Midwest Towing, Auto Shop Scramble to Meet Storm Demand

Lincoln businesses work overtime to assist drivers after winter weather causes spike in crashes.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Following a major winter storm that led to a record number of car crashes in Lincoln, Nebraska, the Midwest Towing Company and Eustis Body Shop have been working overtime to meet the surge in demand for their services. Tow truck drivers like Quincey Bluford put in 14-hour shifts to help stranded motorists, while the auto body shop prepared for an influx of repair appointments by clearing their lots. Despite the challenges, both businesses are focused on providing the best possible experience for customers dealing with the aftermath of the storm.

Why it matters

The winter storm and resulting spike in crashes highlights the critical role that towing and auto repair services play in a community's ability to recover from severe weather events. These businesses are on the front lines, helping get people and their vehicles back on the road safely.

The details

The Lincoln Police Department reported a record number of car crashes on the day of the winter storm. Midwest Towing Company had 11 drivers work 14-hour shifts to assist stranded drivers, with one driver, Quincey Bluford, saying he was originally supposed to end his shift at 7:30 pm but ended up working until after midnight. Eustis Body Shop regional manager Bryan Modlin said they saw a range of damage, from minor fender scratches to complete side replacements, and the shop spent extra time Friday morning preparing their lots to handle the expected influx of repair appointments.

  • On Thursday, the Lincoln Police Department reported a record day in car crashes following the winter storm.
  • Quincey Bluford, a Midwest Towing Company driver, was originally supposed to end his shift at 7:30 pm on Thursday but ended up working until after midnight.

The players

Midwest Towing Company

A towing company in Lincoln, Nebraska that worked overtime to assist stranded drivers following the winter storm.

Eustis Body Shop

An auto body repair shop in Lincoln, Nebraska that prepared for an influx of repair appointments after the winter storm caused a spike in vehicle damage.

Quincey Bluford

A driver for the Midwest Towing Company who worked a 14-hour shift on Thursday to help stranded motorists.

Bryan Modlin

The regional manager at Eustis Body Shop who said they saw a range of vehicle damage from the winter storm, from minor to severe.

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What they’re saying

“Originally I was supposed to be off by 7:30 yesterday and I think I ended up running until a little after midnight, just cleaning up the mess.”

— Quincey Bluford, Tow Truck Driver, Midwest Towing Company

“People think tow trucks can't get stuck, but we can get stuck as well. It's pretty tough you just have to navigate your routes.”

— Quincey Bluford, Tow Truck Driver, Midwest Towing Company

“You're dealing with a lot of people that are having potentially like the worst day of their life, helping clean up their mess. You really just want to focus on the experience and make sure your time with them is as smooth as possible.”

— Quincey Bluford, Tow Truck Driver, Midwest Towing Company

“I've seen something that is minor is really, really minor damage on a fender, just a few scratches to, complete sides of vehicles that need to be replaced. Unfortunately, not all of them are repairable.”

— Bryan Modlin, Regional Manager, Eustis Body Shop

“The biggest challenge is just getting our lots cleared, making sure everything's ready to go for everybody when they get here in the morning.”

— Bryan Modlin, Regional Manager, Eustis Body Shop

What’s next

As the community continues to recover from the winter storm, Midwest Towing Company and Eustis Body Shop will likely remain busy assisting drivers and repairing vehicles in the days and weeks ahead.

The takeaway

The response of these local businesses highlights the critical role they play in helping a community bounce back from severe weather events. Their dedication to providing quality service and prioritizing customer care, even under challenging conditions, is a testament to their commitment to the Lincoln community.