FMCSA Yanks Two Drivers and Company from the Road
February 7, 2014 • by Staff
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has ordered two drivers and one trucking to seek life outside of the trucking industry following what it describes as some dangerous behavior behind the wheel
It has declared Ricky L. Hatfield and his Tazewell, Tennessee-based company, Hatfield Trucking, to be imminent hazards to public safety and has ordered both the driver and the company to immediately cease operations. Hatfield was served the federal orders on Jan. 22, with news being released on Feb 7.
On Nov. 19, 2013, Hatfield was operating a tractor-trailer on Interstate 81 in Franklin County, Penn. when he crossed onto the highway shoulder, collided with a car, and struck two pedestrians, according to FMCSA. After then colliding with a dump truck, Hatfield's tractor-trailer overturned across the Interstate 81 northbound lanes. Hatfield fled the scene, but was later apprehended hiding behind a nearby building.
Franklin County law enforcement officers charged Hatfield with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, aggravated assault by a vehicle, and failure to stop at an accident involving death or personal injury, as well as other charges.
In 2009, Hatfield was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol in Utah. During that incident, Hatfield also attempted to flee from the scene.
The imminent hazard out-of-service order announced today applies to Hatfield individually as a Commercial Driver's License holder and to all vehicles owned or operated by Hatfield Trucking.
Hatfield is currently in the custody of Franklin County law enforcement.
A copy of the imminent hazard out-of-service order can be viewed on the FMCSA website.
The agency has also declared Florida-licensed truck driver Devon L. House to be an imminent hazard to public safety and has ordered him not to operate any commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce. House was served the federal order on Jan.14 with news also being just released.
On three separate occasions in the past six months, House, a commercial driver's license holder from Casselberry, Fla., was cited for alcohol-related violations while operating a commercial motor vehicle, according to FMCSA.
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