Today, the FMCSA announced that the agency has ordered three CDL holders to not operate any commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce, declaring the three drivers an “imminent hazard to public safety.”
On September 11, 2013, Michigan-licensed driver Tracy A. Ferrell was driving on U.S. Highway 23 in Pickaway County, Ohio, when he slammed into the back of a car that was stopped for traffic. The driver of the car was killed.
An investigation by the Michigan State Police and the FMCSA found that Ferrell had “repeatedly and excessively” falsified his logs throughout the 5-week period prior to the crash and that Ferrell was significantly exceeded his allowable driving hours.
On October 16, 2013, Ferrell was served a federal order stating that he has been ordered to not operate any commercial motor vehicle.
“Safety should be the top priority of every driver of every vehicle out on our nation’s highways and roads,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “We will continue to work with our state law enforcement partners to protect the motoring public through vigorous enforcement of traffic laws and motor vehicle regulations that prevent needless crashes and save lives.”
Earlier in the week, the FMCSA issued a similar order to Texas-licensed driver Scotty G. Arnst.
On September 22, 2013, Arnst was traveling on Arkansas State Highway 7, near Harrison, Arkansas, when he struck two pedestrians who were changing a flat tire on the shoulder of the road. Both of the individuals were killed.
An investigation found that Arnst had failed to disclose to three separate employers of his involvement in five CMV crashes and he failed to disclose his prior terminations “as a commercial vehicle operator for high risk driving,” the FMCSA stated.
In addition, investigators found that Arnst had potentially disqualifying medical conditions which he also failed to disclose to his former employers.
“FMCSA’s imminent hazard out-of-service order for Arnst is based on his pattern of unsafe driving, violation of local laws, crashes, falsification of employment applications after crashing, including failure to disclose medical conditions, and violation of federal safety regulations,” the FMCSA stated.
On October 4, 2013, Illinois-licesnsed driver Stewart G. Snedeker was served a federal order from the FMCSA, ordering him to not to operate any commercial vehicle in interstate commerce.
The order stems from a June 23, 2013 accident. On that day, Snedeker was driving on Interstate 75 in Campbell County, Tennessee when he struck a Tennessee Highway Patrol cruiser and a two truck that were parked on the shoulder of the highway with their emergency lights flashing.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper was severely injured in the crash.
Snedeker fled from the scene and was later apprehended by the Campbell County Sheriff’s office approximately 10 miles from the crash scene.
Snedeker was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicant or drug, reckless endangerment, vehicular assault, leaving the scene of a crash with an injury, possession of drug paraphernalia, and other state violations.
An investigation by the FMCSA found that Snedeker also had a potentially disqualifying medical condition.
“It is unacceptable for a truck or bus company, or any of its drivers, to disregard the law and put travelers at risk,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “We will continue our aggressive efforts to prevent unsafe commercial drivers from getting behind the wheel and endangering the public.”
Since the beginning of 2013, the FMCSA has ordered 10 drivers to not operate a commercial vehicle.