The FMCSA today announced the agency has declared Connecticut-licensed driver Terence W. Slowther to be “an imminent hazard to public safety,” ordering Slowther to not operate any commercial vehicle.
“Interstate CDL holders must be certified that they meet medical standards before they are allowed to climb behind the wheel of a commercial bus or truck,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “It is critical that the men and women operating our commercial trucks and buses are well trained, medically qualified, and maintain safety as their highest priority.”
According to the FMCSA, on February 9, 3014, Slowther was operating a passenger carrier, transporting a U.S. coast Guard Academy men’s hockey team when he experienced a medical episode on I-95 in Connecticut.
The medical episode caused Slowther to lose control of the vehicle. The bus was swerving erratically “at a high rate of speed.” Passengers on the bus had to remove Slowther from the wheel. A passenger was able to get into the driver’s seat and regain control of the bus.
An investigation into the incident found that on December 27, 2013, Slowther failed to disclose prior episodes of dizziness and fainting he had experienced from 2010-2012.
The FMCSA has issued an OOS order for Slowhter “based upon his disregard of federal safety regulations, the safety of his passengers and of the motoring public.”
“Drivers who hide critical medical information when applying for a license will not be tolerated by this Department,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “Thanks to the quick actions by the Coast Guard Academy cadets on board, tragedy was avoided in this case, but no passenger should have to worry about their driver’s ability to transport them safely to their destination.”
A copy of the imminent hazard out-of-service order can be viewed at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/