Car hauler in multi vehicle pile up had zero trucking credentials, WSP says

A car hauler involved in a multi vehicle pile up involving a school bus had zero trucking credentials, Washington State Patrol says. 

The accident happened on Thursday, December 4th just after 7 a.m. on Interstate 5 near Martin Road in Lacey, Washington. 

According to KOMO News, the accident started when the car hauler crashed into the back of a school bus, causing a pile up crash. At least six vehicles were involved in the incident. 

“Speeds too fast for conditions and following too closely. The semi driver was following too close behind a school bus that was slowing for traffic. The semi driver tried to avoid colliding with the rear of the bus, but jackknifed instead,” Trooper Kameron Watts wrote on X. 

Looks like the cause of this collision is “speeds too fast for conditions” which caused the semi truck to lose control and jack knife. 6 additional cars are involved and a school bus.

This only resulted in minor injuries. Crews are working to open up more lanes. https://t.co/F2927f9bBD

— Trooper Kameron Watts (@wspd1pio) December 4, 2025

Upon investigation of the incident, Washington State Patrol discovered that the truck driver had zero trucking credentials at the time of the wreck. The truck driver did not possess a CDL, insurance, or a valid medical card. 

“In this situation, there is a lot of negligence involved,” said Trooper Kameron Watts. “We actually dispatched some commercial vehicle enforcement officers to the scene to do a full-blown inspection of the truck itself and the paperwork all semi-truck drivers are supposed to have on them.”

The truck driver has been identified as 40-year-old Juan Hernandez-Santos of Huentitlan, Mexico. The company he was driving for is based out of California. 

🚨 [Major update] NB I-5 at Martin Way:

The driver of this car hauler is now under arrest for driving a commercial vehicle without having a valid Commercial Drivers License, a gross misdemeanor in the State of WA. He will be booked into the Thurston County Jail. pic.twitter.com/VwSnMOfH7C

— Trooper Kameron Watts (@wspd1pio) December 4, 2025

Hernandez-Santos has been booked into the Thurston County Jail for a gross misdemeanor charge of operating a commercial vehicle without a valid license.

Four people were taken to the hospital with non life threatening injuries. There were no children on the bus at the time of the accident. 

“There’s a lot more at stake when you’re driving a fully loaded semi,” Watts said. “If you’re going to get behind the wheel, make sure you have the proper paperwork and training. Know your capabilities behind the wheel, because speeds too fast for conditions and following too closely were also factors in this collision.”