PHOENIX -- An accidentally fired rifle, a passing tow truck and timing combined to unleash a chain of events that left one man dead and residents in a Phoenix neighborhood shaking their heads in disbelief, KPHO-TV reported.

Tow truck driver Cecil Pugh, 59, was transporting a vehicle when he was accidentally shot and killed Monday by a man cleaning his rifle inside his home, investigators said.

"He's going to be horribly missed," said Star Pugh, his wife.

"It's very hard to be here right now because he's not here," she said.

Fire officials said a 50-year-old man was cleaning the weapon in his trailer when the rifle discharged.

The bullet pierced through his blinds and window, shattered the windshield of the tow truck, and lodged in the left side of the passing driver's forehead, killing him instantly, fire officials said.

Pugh fell out of the cab as the vehicle continued moving down the road, fire officials said.

The gun owner ran outside, jumped in the truck and managed to bring the vehicle to a stop before it hit any houses, officials said.

The man then called 911. He told police he didn't realize the chamber was loaded.

"I just don't understand how you know enough to own a gun, to clean a gun, but you don't know there's a bullet in the gun," said Richard Conti, a neighbor.

Pugh was in the neighborhood where he had just picked up a car for transport, police said. He was driving out of the neighborhood when he was shot, according to officers.

Homicide detectives said they are investigating the incident to see if any negligence was involved.

Phoenix police said there's a good chance they will recommend that the man who fired the rifle be charged with serious crimes.