The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) last week declared Tennessee-licensed truck driver Randall J. Weddle to be an imminent hazard to public safety and has ordered him not to operate any commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce.
On the afternoon of March 18, 2016, Weddle was operating a large commercial truck for Tennessee-based R&E Logistics Inc. While traveling on Route 17 in Knox County, Maine, the trailer portion of Weddle’s rig crossed the centerline, tipped over, and began scattering its load of lumber across the roadway. At the time of the crash, Weddle’s truck was traveling about 80 miles per hour in a posted 55 miles-per-hour speed limit zone.
As the truck and trailer and its load of lumber continued to slide down the roadway at a high rate of speed, a pick-up truck, an SUV, and a minivan were struck. The pick-up truck was crushed, killing its driver. The collision with the SUV caused it to roll over once before it collided with another vehicle. The minivan hit by Weddle’s truck was also partially buried under the lumber load.
A subsequent fire engulfed the minivan, killing the sole occupant. In addition, two other crash victims were airlifted to a hospital.
A field sobriety test conducted on Weddle by Maine State Police at the scene of the crash detected the presence of alcohol. State Police also found a bottle of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky in Weddle’s truck.
Investigators also discovered that at the time of the crash, Weddle’s CDL had been revoked by the state of Virginia for a conviction of driving while intoxicated.
Investigators further found that Weddle was in violation of multiple federal hours-of-service regulations, which are designed to prevent fatigued driving, and having an unauthorized passenger on board.
Weddle also may be subject to a civil penalty enforcement proceeding brought by FMCSA for his violation of the agency’s safety regulations.
Failure to comply with the provisions of a federal imminent hazard out-of-service order may result in action by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for equitable relief and civil penalties. Civil penalties of up to $3,100 may be assessed for operation of a commercial motor vehicle in violation of the order. Knowing and/or willful violation of the order may also result in criminal charges.
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