Mexican truck driver ordered off the road for fake license, crash into ravine with open beer

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has ordered a Mexico-licensed CMV driver to cease operations within the U.S. due to multiple violations.

The FMCSA issued a federal order to J. Rafael Arizaga-Tapia a/k/a Nibardo Andrade-Mendoza on February 4, 2022 forbidding him from operating a commercial vehicle in the U.S.

Arizaga-Tapia possessed a valid Licencia Federal de Conductor (LF) and Washington State driver’s license when he was notified that he tested positive for controlled substances on June 24, 2021, prohibiting him from operating a CMV.

An FMCSA review of Arizaga-Tapia’s driving history revealed revealed prior offenses for speeding, driving under the influence, and refused tests. His Washington driver’s license also has an ignition interlock device restriction. 

Following the positive substance use test, the FMCSA says that Arizaga-Tapia obtained an LF under the name Nibardo Andrade-Mendoza, in violation of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations forbidding a CMV driver from having more than one driver’s license.  

From the FMCSA:

On or about November 12, 2021, Arizaga-Tapia, using the name and LF of Nibardo Andrade-Mendoza, was operating a CMV on State Road 97 near Orondo, Washington.  The CMV he was operating failed to negotiate a curve, left the road, crashed through the guardrail, and fell into a ravine.  Arizaga-Tapia was in possession of opened and unopened beer cans and subsequent blood tests showed a measurable alcohol concentration in his system.  At the time of the crash, Arizaga-Tapia’s LF was still listed as prohibited in FMCSA’s Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse

According to Washington State Police, Arizaga-Tapia suffered critical injuries. He was hauling a load of apples at the time of the crash.

FMCSA’s imminent hazard out-of-service order states that Arizaga-Tapia’s “blatant and egregious violations of the FMCSRs, and ongoing and repeated disregard for the safety of the motoring public demonstrated by these actions substantially increases the likelihood of serious injury or death to you and the motoring public.”