What is the "REST OF THE STORY"?

Was it rope or strap? What was the rating?

IMHO - Most tow ropes do not break. They are cut by by either the knot or what they are around. Being it happened in the driveway, I would guess the rope was around the bumper or some other sharp item.

Few tow ropes or straps are sold that have a breaking strength of less than 10,000#. Most tow straps cannot be broken with a pickup tied to a telephone pole. A 50' tow strap/rope is ready to break at ~75'. It will stop a pickup and pull it back.

The round hitch ball shaft is one good point. A round axle is another. If there is only sheetmetal, you must have a metal tow hook intended to not cut the rope. This is where the extreme danger come into play.

The metal tow hook is like a paper clip on a rubber band. It will kill you. If you must use the hook, tie a heavy jacket or the like on the rope near the hook end. That will help. Get everyone away from the rope. Improperly attached, the hook will destroy whatever it hits. Don't let it get away.