The incident happened at about 2 a.m. on the northbound lanes of the freeway, near the Orange Avenue exit.
The tow truck driver, identified as Faapuna Manu, was responding to a call about a disabled silver Mercedes-Benz when he was struck by another car that was driving by, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The driver of that car, identified as Raymond Burley, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Manu was pronounced dead at the scene.
The two people in the car with the flat tire were not injured.
The incident was under investigation.
