Business owner, radio host dies in accident

Matt Canovi, a business owner, radio host and health care system safety director, died May 2 in a vehicular accident. He was 63.

The Springfield Police Department responded Saturday after Canovi was struck by a tow truck near U.S. Highway 65 and Chestnut Expressway, according to an SPD Facebook post.

An Affordable Towing truck driven by Alan Goodkin, 29, of Springfield, hit Canovi, according to the Springfield Police Department statement. Goodkin was reversing the truck to load Canovi’s vehicle while on the shoulder of Highway 65, according to police officials. Canovi died at the scene.

"The investigation is ongoing as to the circumstances involved in the crash," the Facebook post reads. "Impairment does not seem to be a factor."

Canovi, who lived in Brighton, operated concealed carry training business Canovi and Associates LLC and worked as director of campus and public safety for Jordan Valley Community Health Center. For more than 10 years, he also hosted "The Gun Show with Matt Canovi" on 104.1 KSGF.

"Matt touched many members of our community who looked to him for direction as an expert in all things safety," Jordan Valley officials said in a Facebook post. "He was quick to offer help to anyone at Jordan Valley and always showed kindness to our patients and staff. We'll always remember his endlessly good nature and kind spirit."

He also previously worked in law enforcement for decades, according to his LinkedIn profile.

In a 2017 Springfield Business Journal Business Spotlight article, Canovi supported the responsible ownership of firearms.

“I think guns should be owned by responsible gun owners,” he said. “I think any responsible gun owner will get training in gun safety and training about when you can and cannot use deadly force.”