Towing Issues: Kid cant afford to pay tow bill, tow company, mother lives

Question
We are in Washington state. My daughter's friend (he's 21) had his car towed after an accident. The accident was at 3 am and he left the vehicle - miraculously - but he couldn't get it towed until the next day. By the time he got it arranged, the police had already towed it to the junk yard.

It's an old blazer - not worth much. But, the tow bill is $1,000, and the junk yard said if he has to pay it in full before he can get his tools out of it and if he doesn't, they will send him to collections.

He has no job. No money. Lives in total poverty. He works odd jobs, but will not be able to pay a $1,000 tow bill (plus $43/day storage). He can barely get enough money to eat. Now he has to get a replacement vehicle so he can do the jobs to get the money.  See the cycle here?

What will happen to him if he doesn't pay the bill? Will they suspend his driver's license? He tried working out a payment plan with the junk yard, but they said they won't do that.

His mother lives on welfare. He doesn't know who his father is. He doesn't have any relatives to help. What can you suggest? He is willing to sign the car over, but that won't wipe out the tow bill. It's a 79 Blazer and isn't worth much. He put motor in it last year, but the junk yard said that doesn't help reduce the bill.

Answer
Well as much as I hate to say it, what you have mentioned about the collections and the tow company wanting to do things that way does seem legal and practical on their part.

Yes the drivers license in Washington state can be suspended for unpaid towing fees due to police ordered tows, and that law has been on the books for about 20 years if I remember correctly. One heck of a tool to keep people from abandoning vehicles and not caring about the responsibility which goes with vehicle ownership.

Now I can relate to the kids financial problems and while I would love to help or offer advise on what to do, its really hard to do that, as the laws are what is controlling this problem.

I wish I could offer more advise, but I am not sure what else to say here.