The FMCSA has announced that a Montana-based truck driver has been ordered out of service after he caused a serious hazardous materials spill and was then involved in a crash that killed some of the livestock he was transporting less than a month later.
Post Crash Investigations Uncover Drug Use, HOS Violations
Truck driver Robert Schefflmaer was declared an imminent hazard to public safety and ordered to cease interstate operations following investigations into two crashes that occurred in October and November of 2017.
From the FMCSA: “On October 18, 2017, Schefflmaer, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) holder, was operating a large commercial truck tank-trailer transporting hazardous material on Interstate 80 in Elko County, Nevada, when he lost control of his vehicle, crossed the median and entered the opposing traffic lanes. The tank-trailer then became separated and overturned, causing a hazmat spill of approximately 51,000 gallons of ammonium bisulfite and partially blocking the roadway.”
Schefflmaer wasn’t hurt in the crash. He admitted to the Nevada Highway Patrol that he had fallen asleep.
Schefflmaer’s post-crash drug test came back positive for a Schedule I drug. Federal investigators also discovered numerous hours of service violations in the two weeks that led up to the crash.
Just a few weeks later, Schefflmaer was involved in another crash, according to the FMCSA: “On November 1, 2017, Schefflmaer, while operating a large commercial truck trailer in Montana, again lost control of his vehicle, again overturning, and resulting in the deaths of approximately 20 calves that were being transported. Schefflmaer was cited and later convicted for careless driving.”
Schefflmaer may also face civil penalties for violating safety regulations.