The FMCSA has ordered a California-based truck driver out of service in the wake of a wrong-way crash in September that claimed the life of another truck driver.
Yesterday the FMCSA declared driver Dharm Lingam to be a hazard to public safety and ordered him to immediately cease all interstate operations.
Motorist Reported Miles Of Unsafe And Erratic Driving Before Fatal Crash
The out of service order came following an investigation into a crash on September 17 that occurred on I-10 in Pinal County, Arizona.
According to the FMCSA news release, Arizona authorities had received numerous calls about a tractor trailer driving erratically from motorists prior to the crash.
One motorist told Tucson News Now that he called the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, and even 911 to try to report Lingam’s truck, which was swerving in and out of lanes for miles. You can see video captured by the motorist below.
VIDEO from anon viewer yesterday before deadly crash on I-10. Guy behind phone cam says he called to report erratic driving several times pic.twitter.com/pwRZ0bhk14
— Craig Reck (@CraigReckNews) September 18, 2017
After the video was filmed, Lingam, who was driving eastbound on I-10, lost control, crashed into an eastbound SUV which was being towed by a pickup truck, and then crossed over the median into the westbound lanes of the interstate, crashing into another semi truck. The westbound truck driver died at the scene.
Driver Give “Untrue Responses” On Medical Questionnaire: FMCSA
The FMCSA investigation into the crash revealed that Lingam suffered from a medical condition that would have disqualified him from interstate operation and that he had given “untrue responses” on a medical questionnaire in July 2017.
The FMCSA news release also reported that Lingam had refused to provide a urine sample the day after the crash and that this refusal was automatic grounds to order him off the road: “Under federal safety regulations, refusal to provide a urine sample immediately following a fatal CMV crash is treated as a positive test result – and automatically disqualifies the individual from operating a CMV in interstate commerce.”
Lingam may also face civil penalties for regulation violations, according to the news release.