Today, the FMCSA announced the agency has declared a Tennessee driver and the trucking company he owns to be an “imminent hazard” to public safety.
The FMCSA has ordered truck driver Ricky L. Hatfield and his company Hatfield Trucking to immediately cease operations.
On November 19, 2013, Hatfield was driving a CMV on Interstate 81 in Franklin County, Pennsylvania when his truck crossed onto the shoulder and struck a car. Two of the pedestrians in the car were killed. Hatfield’s truck then hit a dump truck.
After the collision, Hatfield fled the scene.
Hatfield was later found hiding behind a nearby building. He was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, aggravated assault by a vehicle, and failure to stop at an accident involving death or personal injury, as well as other charges.
In 2009, Hatfield was convicted of a DUI in Utah. During that incident, Hatfield also attempted to flee the scene.
“Interstate truck and bus companies and their drivers should have no doubt that we will vigorously enforce all federal safety regulations to the fullest extent possible by law,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “Carriers and drivers who flout the safety rules put the public at risk and will be shut down.”
On January 22, 2014, Hatfield was served the federal order.
The imminent hazard out-of-service order announced today applies to Hatfield individually as a Commercial Driver’s License holder and to all vehicles owned or operated by Hatfield Trucking. Hatfield is currently in the custody of Franklin County law enforcement.
A copy of the imminent hazard out-of-service order can be viewed at http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/