The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration declared a North Carolina man an imminent hazard and ordered him not to use a commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce after inspectors stopped him three times in three states.
The unannounced roadside commercial vehicle inspections took place in February and March. Inspectors had placed Jean Lafortune Jr. out of service after discovering he didn’t possess a valid CDL and finding containers of alcohol in his truck cab. Roadside investigators also cited him for other safety violations.
Earlier this month, Lafortune’s truck became stuck while he attempted to turn around on private property in Pennsylvania, the FMCSA said. In that case, the investigating state police officer placed him out of service for a fourth time after discovering he didn’t possess a valid CDL and had no record-of-duty status. His truck was also placed out of service for mechanical defects.
“In a blatant and egregious disregard of federal safety regulations — and of the safety of the motoring public — despite being placed out-of-service in three states in less than three weeks, Lafortune continued illegally driving a commercial truck in interstate commerce,” the FMCSA said in a statement on Friday.
Lafortune was served with the federal order on July 22.
Lafortune’s “disregard for the safety of the motoring public demonstrated by these actions substantially increases the likelihood of serious injury or death to you and/or to the motoring public if not discontinued immediately,” according to the federal imminent hazard order.
He may be assessed civil penalties of up to $1,951 for any subsequent violation of the out-of-service order. Knowing and/or willful violations of the order may also result in criminal penalties. FMCSA said he may also be subject to civil penalty enforcement proceedings for violations of the agency’s safety regulations. It’s unclear how long the order is in effect.
Click here for more articles by Clarissa Hawes.
Truckers owed hundreds of thousands after glass fabricator, affiliates file bankruptcy
Abrupt closure of K-Ratio’s fuel hedging program stuns trucking companies
Are 34 trucking firms left holding the bag after K-Ratio program collapse?
Freight Fraud Symposium
Double brokering. AI deepfakes. Identity theft. Freight fraud is an existential threat to the industry. Get ahead of it.
Supply Chain AI Symposium
Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.
Future of Rail Symposium
Reshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.
Double brokering. AI deepfakes. Identity theft. Freight fraud is an existential threat to the industry. Get ahead of it.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame • Cleveland, OH Register NowPast the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.
The Old Post Office • Chicago, IL Register NowReshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now
thetrucks
I found your article very helpful, thank you so much for your content.
David, autor blog https://thetrucks.us/