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Dana Guthrie

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About Dana Guthrie
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.

Posts by Dana Guthrie

Officials celebrate $1.2 billion investment in California’s ARCHES Hydrogen Hub 

By Dana Guthrie -

OAKLAND, Calif. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Department of Energy Under Secretary for Infrastructure David Crane and state leaders celebrated the official launch of the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) hydrogen hub at an in-person event showcasing hydrogen-powered transportation on Friday.  “California has led the nation with ambitious, innovative goals to combat the climate crisis, and today, we’re showcasing the promise of California’s renewable hydrogen-powered future,” Padilla said. “From the ports to our state’s population centers, to our rural communities, ARCHES will catalyze the clean hydrogen economy in California. I’m glad to have partnered with the Biden-Harris Administration to secure over $1 billion for ARCHES as we take a major step toward achieving our state’s ambitious carbon neutrality goals.”  According to a media release, the event highlighted the potential for hydrogen-related transportation infrastructure in the region after Padilla secured up to $1.2 billion for the hub from the Department of Energy to facilitate the production and utilization of renewable, clean hydrogen across California. The group received a tour of critical hydrogen projects at the Port of Oakland, and Padilla rode the world’s first entirely hydrogen-powered ferry and a hydrogen fuel cell bus.  “California is building more, faster to accelerate clean energy projects, cut pollution, and deliver good jobs — and we’re doing it at a scale unmatched in America,” Newsom said. “Thanks to the Biden-Harris Administration, our first-in-the-nation hydrogen hub is quickly becoming reality.”  The release noted that the transformative investment in ARCHES from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will significantly advance clean hydrogen projects across California, reducing the state’s reliance on fossil fuels and driving toward California’s goal of a carbon-neutral economy by 2045. ARCHES is a public-private partnership that aims to establish a renewable, clean hydrogen market and ecosystem in California by 2030, creating a projected 220,000 jobs in the state, decarbonizing some of our hardest to reach industries, and reducing harmful downstream emissions that disproportionately impact underserved communities.  “Clean hydrogen is the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of energy technologies and a solution to decarbonizing the industries we cannot live without,” said Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. “President Biden and Vice President Harris have developed a modern, industrial strategy to build a clean hydrogen industry here at home—with California and the ARCHES Hydrogen Hub leading the way.”  The ARCHES hydrogen hub will:   Prioritize improving clean hydrogen viability in some of the most challenging industries to decarbonize — including ports, power, and heavy-duty transportation.   Work to implement hydrogen fuel usage in the aviation, maritime, and agriculture industries, among others.  Aim to make the cost of clean hydrogen in California cheaper than diesel and other traditional fuels by 2030.  Create a national model for workforce development.  “Today’s launch marks a transformative moment for California’s clean energy future,” said Angelina Galiteva, CEO, ARCHES. “ARCHES is excited and honored to accelerate California’s hydrogen journey, driving innovative projects that will not only establish a thriving clean hydrogen ecosystem but also enable us to decarbonize all sectors of the economy while creating lasting economic, air quality, and environmental benefits for all Californians.”  According to the release, California’s roadmap to carbon neutrality by 2045 includes a projected 1,700-fold increase in the use of hydrogen across multiple industrial sectors. ARCHES will help meet this ambitious goal by bringing together over 400 organizations across California representing state, county, and city governments; industry; community groups; universities; labor unions; non-governmental organizations; and national labs to accelerate clean hydrogen’s market viability and decarbonize California’s economy.   “As everyone saw first-hand today, California continues to demonstrate its leadership and innovation in proving out new technologies within the clean energy economy,” said Dee Dee Myers, GO-Biz director and senior advisor to Newsom and founding ARCHES board member. “We could not be more excited about the future of renewable hydrogen in our state — a future that will see the decarbonization of our economy along with the creation of green jobs and sustainable business at scale for decades to come.”  Earlier this year, Padilla and Representative Barbara Lee toured hydrogen projects at the Port of Oakland alongside leadership from the Port and ARCHES. In 2023, Padilla and the late Senator Dianne Feinstein sent a letter to Granholm urging the Department of Energy to support the ARCHES clean hydrogen hub proposal as part of its Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program. During a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, Padilla highlighted the effectiveness of California’s Low-Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS) program in investing in clean hydrogen production for zero-emissions vehicles and called for the implementation of a similar national program to reduce emissions.  Additionally, Padilla announced $15 million for Alameda-Contra Costa (AC) Transit’s program last month to expand their hydrogen bus fleet with a Low- and No-Emission Grant from the Department of Transportation. He also secured $1.8 million for AC Transit’s East Oakland Maintenance Facility Safety Upgrades in the bipartisan FY 2024 appropriations package. 

Semi-truck fire shuts down I-40 eastbound in Arkansas

By Dana Guthrie -

PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. – Eastbound traffic flow has been impacted on Interstate 40 just outside of North Little Rock due to a semi-truck on fire. According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT), just after 8:30 a.m. (CST) on Monday, officials began working to clear a vehicle fire about 0.8 miles outside of North Little Rock that shutdown all eastbound lanes. The vehicle was burning near mile marker 162 at Valentine Road, according to iDrive cameras. At 10:30 a.m. traffic began moving between exit 161 and the burned semi-truck. Officials said all other traffic will be diverted to Highway 70 at exit 161. ARDOT officials said the scene is estimated to be cleared and open by 1 p.m. Officials have not released the cause of the fire or if there are any injuries. This is an ongoing story.

MDOT lifting restrictions for hauling fuel, battery materials on Ambassador Bridge  

By Dana Guthrie -

DETROIT, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will lift some restrictions on the transport of materials over the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit following months of public input from residents, business owners, lawmakers and other interested parties.  According to a media release, MDOT will allow the transport of some fuels and materials for batteries beginning Oct. 29. The announcement follows six months of reviewing factual comments, meeting with both law enforcement and first responders and reviewing comments submitted from the public. “The Detroit International Bridge Co. (DIBC) requested modifications to current restrictions placed on what types of materials are allowed to cross the Ambassador Bridge,” MDOT said in the release. “State law designates MDOT as the agency responsible for determining where restricted materials cannot be carried. In June 2021, MDOT commissioned a technical study to review and evaluate the risks associated with transportation of restricted materials on the Ambassador Bridge from Porter Street in Detroit to Canada, should any existing restrictions be changed.” The release noted that following legal guidelines, MDOT shared the study in November 2023 during a public comment period, and collected more than 80 letters from elected officials, business owners and other members of the public, many expressing support for the changed restrictions. On March 20 MDOT held a public hearing to further engage with the community and collect additional feedback. Utilizing the study, MDOT determined that a net improvement to public safety would result from granting the modifications requested by the DIBC. DIBC currently has a fire suppression system and spill mitigation protocols and materials in place. Restricted materials will only be transported during off-peak hours, under the supervision of vehicle escorts. Additional information regarding hazardous materials routing and MDOT’s consideration of these changes is available on the MDOT website. 

Padilla announces nearly $150 million for California zero-emission vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure 

By Dana Guthrie -

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla has announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will award $149.7 million for five California projects to build zero-emission vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure, including over $100 million for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles.   “Decarbonizing the transportation and goods movement sectors is essential for fighting the climate crisis and protecting public health in communities along busy corridors,”  Padilla said. “To successfully meet California’s critical climate goals, we need to scale up our charging and fueling infrastructure up and down the state through transformative projects like the West Coast Truck Charging and Fueling Corridor Project. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, these investments will help slash vehicle emissions, create good-paying green jobs, and provide cleaner air for millions of Californians, including disadvantaged tribal and low-income communities.”  The funding comes through the Federal Highway Administration’s Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program, which was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  According to a media release, the California Department of Transportation will receive $102.4 million for its West Coast Truck Charging and Fueling Corridor Project, which will deploy charging and hydrogen fueling stations for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles along 2,500 miles of key freight corridors in California, Oregon and Washington. The project will enable the emissions-free movement of goods through major ports, freight centers, and agricultural regions along the West Coast. Padilla joined the Democratic members of the California congressional delegation last year in urging Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to support the project.  “The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program aims to strategically deploy electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and other alternative fueling infrastructure projects in urban and rural communities in publicly accessible locations, including downtown areas and local neighborhoods, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities,” the release said.    Additional California recipients include:  Fort Independence Indian Community — $15.1 million. The project will install a reliable, resilient and sustainable EV charging hub along the U.S. Route 395 corridor, a designated Alternative Fuel Corridor, and the only north-south passage along the Sierra Nevada range. The project’s aim is to contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging the use of EVs and powering the charging hub through a solar micro-grid with combined heat and power generation and battery backup.  The County of Los Angeles, City of Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority — $15 million. The project will develop a comprehensive network of publicly accessible, community-based EV charging infrastructure consisting of 18 DC Fast Chargers and 1,263 Level 2 chargers across 15 community facilities, four park and ride multi-modal transportation hubs, and 1,000 curbside light poles, while creating 3,000 high-quality jobs.  San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District — $14.1 million. The project will install Level 2 EV charging ports at all BART-managed parking facilities for use by customers and community members. By installing chargers at BART stations that are close to multifamily housing, workplaces, medical facilities, schools, and retail, the project’s goal is to support robust EV adoption across a wide range of socioeconomic groups and road users, prioritizing deployment at stations in or near disadvantaged communities.   Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians — $3.2 million. The project will install 70 EV charging stations to increase EV charging infrastructure in the Reservation and along U.S. Route 50, a designated Alternative Fuel Corridor in El Dorado County. The project’s purpose is to support economic development on tribal lands by attracting travelers to tribal amenities on a heavily trafficked tourist route.  According to the release, Senator Padilla has consistently fought for emissions reductions across the transportation and freight sectors. Earlier this year, Padilla successfully pushed the Administration to launch a National Zero-Emission Freight Corridor Strategy to guide the national deployment of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty freight transportation vehicle (ZE-MHDV) charging and fueling infrastructure, which followed his efforts to call on the Joint Office to prioritize the deployment of ZE-MHDV as part of its core mission.  Additionally, Padilla applauded the EPA’s release of the strongest national greenhouse gas standards in history for HDV emissions to begin in model year 2027, following a series of efforts he led. He also supported the Biden-Harris Administration’s announcement of the first-ever national goal to transition to a zero-emissions freight sector for the truck, rail, aviation, and marine industries, along with a commitment to develop a national zero-emissions freight strategy. Last month, Padilla announced nearly $500 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which will help decarbonize the transportation and freight sectors and improve air quality for Southern California residents.  “Padilla previously announced $168.5 million in funding from the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program for the deployment of publicly accessible EV charging and alternative fueling infrastructure,” the release said. “Last year, Padilla, Senator Cory Booker, and Representative Nanette Díaz Barragán introduced the bicameral EVs for All Act, legislation that would increase access to EVs for residents of public housing across the nation. He and Representative Mark DeSaulnier also previously sent a letter urging the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration to prioritize investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in clean charging and fueling projects to help reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality in the most impacted communities.”   

Averitt named 2024 Workplace Giving Partner of the Year for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

By Dana Guthrie -

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Averitt Express has been named the 2024 Workplace Giving Partner of the Year by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “This is the fourth time Averitt has been recognized with this award, previously receiving this distinction in 1999, 2010, and 2020,” Averitt Express said in a media release. “The award highlights Averitt’s over 30-year partnership with St. Jude and its continuous support through initiatives such as the Team Up Community Challenge, which matches associate community service hours with a financial contribution to Averitt’s charitable-giving organization, Averitt Cares for Kids.” The prestigious award, presented as part of the ALSAC/St. Jude Volunteer Awards Dinner, honors corporate partners, individual volunteers, and donors from across the country. “We are incredibly proud to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and its mission to develop cures for children’s diseases,” said Gary Sasser, Averitt chairman and CEO. “This award is a testament to the generosity of our associates, and we look forward to continuing our support for many years to come.” According to the release, Averitt has also donated tens of thousands of Hot Wheels toys and Play-Doh to the hospital over the past two years. The $1,500,001 donation from Averitt associates last year set a record as the largest employee-generated donation in the hospital’s history to date.   

GMA seeks industry input on zero-emissions vehicle deployment

By Dana Guthrie -

WASHINGTON —  The Center for Green Market Activation (GMA) has announced key milestones for its zero-emissions trucking program, GMA Trucking, that aims to scale adoption of zero-emission heavy-duty trucks along with hosting a webinar to gather information on zero-emission vehicle deployments and other issues. “Heavy duty trucking accounts for more than 3% of global carbon emissions,” said Kim Carnahan, GMA CEO. “Yet, as in other hard-to-abate sectors, deployment of decarbonized solutions has been painfully slow. With this announcement, GMA member companies have the opportunity to take demand aggregation where it’s needed most, applying the book-and-claim model to road freight in order to rapidly accelerate the adoption of zero-emission trucks.” According to a media release, to inform the RFP design, GMA Trucking has launched a brief request-for-information (RFI) for carrier responses. The RFI seeks to gather information on existing zero-emission vehicle deployments, interest in expanding ZEV fleets, experience with renewable energy and green fuels, and preferences around multi-year offtake terms. To help those interested in responding to the RFI, GMA has scheduled a webinar for September 17 at 12PM ET to provide further information on the application of book-and-claim systems for road transportation, how to respond to the RFI, and how to prepare for the RFP. “The webinar is intended to inform stakeholders about the recently issued request for information that will inform GMA Trucking’s upcoming procurement process for zero-emission trucking service attributes,” the release said. “The RFI seeks to gather information on existing zero-emission vehicle deployments, interest in expanding ZEV fleets, experience with renewable energy and green fuels, and preferences around multi-year offtake terms. The webinar will provide further information on the application of book and claim systems for road transportation, how to respond to the RFI, and how to prepare for the RFP that is expected to launch in fall 2024.” The release noted that the GMA Trucking buyers’ alliance, which launched in September 2023, includes companies such as PepsiCo, Meta, eBay, REI Co-op and Green Worldwide Shipping. The goal of the alliance is advancing decarbonization within the heavy-duty road transportation sector. Newly released in conjunction with the announcement is a request for information (RFI) intended to inform its upcoming procurement process for zero-emission trucking service attributes utilizing a book-and-claim model. GMA Trucking is preparing for its first pilot procurement of zero-emission trucking service attributes, a process expected to launch in fall 2024. Targeting preliminary volumes from battery electric or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles of up to 110 million ton-miles (or seven million miles with a weighted average payload of 14 tons) per year, the RFP will help GMA Trucking members purchase attributes to make progress towards their greenhouse gas targets and send a strong demand signal to carriers, OEMs, and infrastructure providers to continue investments in zero-emission transportation services. The system will draw from the guidance within SFC’s Market Based Measures (MBM) Framework, a foundational document for logistics book-and-claim that will ensure GMA Trucking aligns with best practices. “The Smart Freight Centre has been focused on book-and-claim systems for many years because they create the flexibility needed to drive greater investment into low-carbon transportation solutions,” said Christoph Wolff, CEO of Smart Freight Centre. “Our Fleet Electrification Coalition also channels aggregated demand for electric trucking services towards collaborative real-world projects. We look forward to contributing our tools, guidance materials, and expertise to help this program succeed and more rapidly decarbonize the road freight sector.” The release also stated that GMA Trucking has also formalized its strategic partnership with the Smart Freight Centre (SFC), an international non-profit organization focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from freight transportation. SFC will bring sector-specific expertise of both road freight decarbonization and book-and-claim systems to help the buyers’ alliance achieve its objectives. “GMA Trucking and its member companies aim to overcome traditional decarbonization hurdles by utilizing a book-and-claim system for heavy-duty road transportation attributes similar to those already deployed in other markets, such as renewable electricity certificates (RECs), sustainable aviation fuel certificates (SAFc), and, recently, maritime services,” the release said. “Such systems have proven catalytic to market adoption and acceleration of critical technologies and offer a replicable model to drive the decarbonization of other high-emitting industries.” Through its pilot RFP, GMA expects to select one or more carriers from which to purchase trucking service attributes over a multi-year period. Following the pilot RFP and project contracting, GMA will run recurring RFP processes to help its members purchase zero-emission trucking service attributes on an ongoing basis, growing in scale and scope over time, and helping the road freight sector more rapidly achieve net zero emissions. Potential respondents who are interested in learning more about the GMA Trucking RFI are encouraged to attend the upcoming webinar. Freight operators are also invited to respond to the RFI by October 11, 2024. More information about GMA and additional cross-sectoral decarbonization opportunities can be found at gmacenter.org or by emailing [email protected].

Mystery truck driver saves mom and two children in flash flood

By Dana Guthrie -

OXFORD, Conn.  — An Oxford, Conn. woman is seeking help finding the truck driver who rescued her family from last week’s flash flooding. According to WTNH , Gonxhe Kalici was driving along Oxford Road, which was passable, until the storm swallowed the street. “This flash flood just comes out of nowhere and stalls my car,” Kalici said. “[My car] wouldn’t start, and I see the water climbing up to the windshield.” Kalici said she was on her way home from her mother’s house with her two sons, 13-year-old Ajet and 11-year-old Armand. “When I heard my boys calling my mother just to say goodbye, because they were drowning, I told them, ‘We’re not dying today,’” Kalici said. That’s when the mother of two jumped into action. Cellphone video appears to show Kalici pulling one of her sons out of the sunroof of her 2020 Audi A4, with a tanker truck pushing through the floodwater. Kalici said the truck driver opened his door and reached out. “He helped [my sons], put them inside, and I went in,” Kalici said. “From there, we drove to safety.” Ed Zulai, owner of the nearby Oxford House Tavern, recorded the 10-second video while watching the rescue from his porch. “We saw water rushing everywhere,” Zulai said. “Both sides of the building were being covered, and her car was just about completely engulfed in water; then here [the truck driver] comes pretty much out of nowhere and saved her.” Kalici said the trucker drove a short distance along the flooded roadway to nearby emergency crews — but she hasn’t seen him since, and is now trying to track him down to thank him personally. “He’s our guardian angel,” Kalici said. “He was there at the right time.” Kalici and Zulai said the moment was chaotic and happened so fast, that the only thing they remember about the driver is that he was a dark-skinned man driving a blue tanker truck. If you know anything about the man, or if you’re the driver, email [email protected].

Love’s celebrates professional drivers throughout September

By Dana Guthrie -

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.– Love’s Travel Stops is extending the National Truck Driver Appreciation Week celebrations with exclusive offers throughout September. All month, professional drivers can visit Love’s locations to redeem offers through Love’s loyalty program, My Love Rewards, and on the Love’s Connect App. “Love’s is thankful for drivers year-round and to further recognize their immense contributions, Love’s has curated deals during Driver Appreciation Month, starting on Sept. 1.,” the company said in a media release. “My Love Rewards members will receive an email with available offers and they can activate mobile deals with a single tap in the special offer email or in the Deals section of the Love’s Connect App.” Love’s is offering drivers extra savings, rewards and points, including: Earn double My Love Rewards points on any in-store merchandise purchase in September by adding the Mobile Deal to your My Love Rewards card. Get a Premium Bundle truck wash at the Deluxe Bundle price by adding the Mobile Deal to your My Love Rewards card. Free driver appreciation hat with the purchase of three packs of gloves. Free Traverse Pro Series hat with the purchase of a Traverse Travel Gear seat cushion or Traverse Pro Series flashlight. Weekly discounts on various food items through the My Love Rewards card or Love’s Connect App. $10 back in My Love Rewards points on any oil and professional maintenance purchase. The release also noted that, as always, My Love Rewards provides drivers with free fountain drink refills and showers with any commercial diesel fuel fill of 50 gallons or more. Click here for more information on the My Love Rewards program. Connect your My Love Rewards card to the Love’s Connect App to unlock extra features like mobile pay at the pump and digital barcode to earn and spend points.

Two semi-trucks involved in fatal crash in Oregon

By Dana Guthrie -

UNION COUNTY, Ore. – The Oregon State Police (OSP) responded to a crash involving two semi-trucks, each towing 53-foot box trailers, on Interstate 84 near milepost 268 in Union County on Tuesday According to an OSP press release, the preliminary investigation indicated that a yellow Volvo semi-truck operated by Abdiwasa Abdullahi Alinur, 27, of Portland was traveling eastbound on I-84 when it struck the rear end of a gray Kenworth semi-truck operated by Illia Kodzhebash, 45, of Kent, Wash. After striking the Kenworth, the Volvo crossed the travel lanes and overturned in the median. Alinur was ejected from the vehicle and declared deceased at the scene. Kodzhebash was not injured and remained at the scene. The highway was impacted for approximately four hours for the on-scene investigation. Oregon State Police was assisted by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Union County Fire and Rescue, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. This is an on-going investigation.

Employee of Brooklyn moving company sentenced for defrauding customers, stealing over $3 million

By Dana Guthrie -

BROOKLYN, N.Y. —  Andre Prince was sentenced on Wednesday by United States Circuit Judge Denny Chin to 24 months in prison for his participation in a fraudulent moving company scheme.  According to a media release from the United State Attorney’s Office Eastern District of New York, Prince was convicted in December 2023 of conspiracy to commit wire fraud following a one-week trial.  As part of the sentence, Prince was ordered to pay forfeiture in the amount of $100,000.    Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Christie M. Curtis, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, and Christopher A. Scharf, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Inspector General, Northeastern Region (DOT-OIG), announced the sentence. “The defendant enticed victims to use the moving companies he worked for and then held their belongings hostage to substantially higher prices and the threat of auctioning them off unless they agreed to the fraudulent demands,” said Peace. “For his crime of conviction, it is Prince who will be moving — to a federal prison.  My Office is committed to protecting consumers from costly and fraudulent schemes in the moving industry.” FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Curtis noted that Prince enticed customers to entrust fraudulent moving companies with their household goods, only to financially extort them with threats of selling their belongings. Prince utilized his skills as a sales representative to prey upon more than 800 victims undergoing a stressful event by boxing them into misleading contracts and false estimates. “May the defendant’s move to prison reflect the FBI’s dedication to disrupting widespread fraud schemes and deter future unlawful attempts to monopolize an industry,” Curtis said. According to the release, as proven at trial, between at least January 2017 and August 2020, Prince and co-defendant Kristy Mak worked for a number of moving companies controlled by co-defendant Yakov Moroz, which operated under various names including Great Moving USA, Green Movers, New City Moves, Cross Country Moving and Storage, and Movers Consulting.  Mak was a customer service representative for the companies and supervised Prince, who, as a senior sales representative was responsible for convincing individuals to choose one of the fraudulent moving companies. The defendants lured customers to these movers by posting fake reviews online and having sales associates offer low-cost transportation of their household goods. After a contract was signed and, in some cases, after the customer’s belongings were loaded on the truck, the movers would spring new expenses on them.  If the customer tried contacting the sales associate about the surprise fees, that person was unreachable, and the customers were faced with drivers who threatened to hold their goods hostage unless they paid additional fees which were sometimes double or triple the original estimated cost.  In one conversation on the Slack messaging app, Prince reacted to two memes sent to him from another salesperson depicting their scheme to cut off contact with the customer on the day of the move, stating: “[rolling on the floor laughing emoji] that is so accurate.”  As a result of the fraudulent scheme, the defendants, together with others, wrongfully obtained more than $3 million from over 800 victims. “Today’s sentence stemming from the criminal investigation conducted with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners demonstrates our commitment to detecting and prosecuting fraudulent household goods movers who take advantage of unsuspecting customers by holding their personal belongings hostage,” stated DOT-OIG Special Agent in Charge Scharf. “We will continue our vigorous efforts to root out bad actors from the moving industry and reinforce adherence to Federal laws and regulations designed to protect the public.” Mak, who was convicted at trial of the same wire fraud conspiracy charge as Prince, is awaiting sentencing.  Moroz absconded while on pre-trial release and is currently a fugitive. If you have been the victim of a similar fraud, a complaint can be filed with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration at https://nccdb.fmcsa.dot.gov/nccdb/home.aspx The government’s case was handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Arun Bodapati and Elias Laris are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Special Agent Rebecca Sidhu and Paralegal Specialist Stephanie Heyward.

Ontario truck driver arrested on drug charges at the border

By Dana Guthrie -

BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross has announced the arrest of Bashir Kasozi, 41, of Ontario, Canada, who was charged with the importation of morphine and possession with intent to distribute a morphine, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine. “On the evening of August 23, 2024, Customs and Border Protection officers at the Lewiston Bridge Port of Entry encountered a commercial truck with Ontario plates being driven by Kasozi,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Richard Antoine in the complaint. “During the outbound inspection, Kasozi told a CBP Officer that he was in the United States for three days, coming from Massachusetts with a load of paper. Asked if he had anything to declare, to include prescription or nonprescription narcotics, currency over $10,000, weapons of any kind, or if anyone else was in the vehicle with him, Kasozi stated no.” According to the complaint, Kasozi was then referred for secondary inspection. A scan of the truck detected an anomaly in the nose of the trailer by the front wall. A subsequent search of that area revealed a skid of 62 brown taped packages. One of the boxes was searched and found to contain a smaller gold box with a glass vial inside. The glass vials were found to contain morphine. Kasozi made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Romer and was held pending a detention hearing on September 4. The criminal complaint is the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, and Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Scarpino. A defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Pilot celebrates driver appreciation month with Road Warrior contest, free drinks, exclusive discounts

By Dana Guthrie -

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Pilot is celebrating Driver Appreciation month by saying ‘Here’s to You’ to professional drivers with free drinks, special deals and the return of its annual Road Warrior contest. “It truly is an honor to work shoulder to shoulder with professional drivers who keep North America moving, day in and day out,” said Jordan Spradling, vice president of transportation and logistics at Pilot. “At Pilot, we are committed to doing our part to support, serve, and show professional drivers they matter, and we look forward to seeing them out here on the road.” According to a company media release, Pilot’s Driver Appreciation campaign reflects the brand’s new creative direction, focusing on the people and moments that make the middle of nowhere feel like somewhere. Featuring real professional drivers in its campaign, Pilot celebrates the hardworking people behind the wheel of a big rig with a ‘Here’s to You’ cheers and an inviting call to ‘See You Out Here.’ Throughout September, Pilot will hero professional drivers in its commercials, billboards, store signage and digital content. “To further recognize professional drivers and share their stories, Pilot is kicking off its annual Road Warrior contest with a $25,000 grand prize,” the company said in the release. “The Road Warrior contest recognizes the individuals who weather the storms, long hours, and tight schedules, day in and day out to keep North America moving. For this year’s contest, surprise personalities will invite people to nominate the professional drivers in their lives by visiting Pilot’s Facebook page and giving them a shout-out on each week’s Road Warrior recognition post. Every week during the contest, one deserving driver will be selected based on the details of their nomination to win a $1,000 prize. At the end of the month, one of the four weekly Road Warrior winners will be named the grand prize recipient and will be awarded an additional $25,000. Winners will be announced in October.” The release also noted that as a token of Pilot’s appreciation, professional drivers will be able to enjoy exclusive savings all September through use of the myRewards Plus app at participating Pilot, Flying J and One9 travel centers, including: Three free drinks every week, including Pilot coffee, fountain drinks and top-selling beverage brands from the cooler Exclusive discounts on popular snack items Military and Veteran professional drivers will receive extra discounts on snacks in addition to the 10% military discount on food and beverage (after authentication through ID.me) Download the myRewards Plus app to find the nearest participating travel center and take advantage of these offers. For more information about Driver Appreciation Month and the 2024 Road Warrior contest, visit pilotflyingj.com/driverappreciation.

Semi-truck crash spills chemicals, catches fire in Georgia

By Dana Guthrie -

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Cobb County and Marietta, Ga. firefighters responded to the scene of a semi-truck crash on Interstate 75 South where the truck carrying barrels of brake fluid crashed, causing it to catch fire and the barrels to leak, then explode early Friday morning. According to the Cobb County Fire Department, a semi-truck hauling the barrels of brake fluid crashed into a support beam under the Windy Hill bridge at the I-75 SB and Delk Road at Exit 261. “The truck then caught fire and the cargo barrels began leaking, burning and exploding,” the department said. “The fire has been extinguished. Cobb HazMat team is mitigating the chemical spill.” No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and the driver appeared uninjured at the time, according to the fire department. Traffic has been diverted off of the area, but the on-ramp is currently blocked. The express lanes are also closed To get around the current traffic delays, HWY 41/Cobb Pkwy is an alternate route. This is an on-going story and The Trucker will continue to follow it.

LA freeway shut down at Stadium Way after semi-truck crash scatters fries across lanes

By Dana Guthrie -

LOS ANGELES, Calif, —  A semi-truck loaded with french fries crashed on the 5 Freeway in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles leaving all southbound lanes blocked by boxes of fries Thursday morning, Aug. 28. According to local e-media, the crash was reported around 3:30 a.m. near Stadium Way. Video showed the cab of the truck had  disconnected from the trailer. The  french fry boxes were left covering the freeway prompting officials to issue a sigalert stopping all southbound traffic while crews worked to clear the mess. This is an on-going story and will be updated as more information is available.

NTSB finds multiple safety lapses, including driver fatigue, in 2022 fatal collision between semi-truck and party bus

By Dana Guthrie -

​​WASHINGTON — The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is recommending stronger state and federal regulations for motor carriers — particularly concerning driver hours of service — following a report on a fatal collision between a semi-truck and a bus that took place in December 2022 in Williamsburg, Virginia, which resulted in three deaths and multiple injuries.​ “The NTSB determined that the truck driver’s lack of response to the slower-moving bus was due to fatigue from excess driving time and lack of sleep opportunity,” the NTSB said in a media release. “The truck’s motor carrier, Triton Logistics, created fictitious driver accounts for its vehicles’ electronic logging device systems that allowed drivers to exceed federal hours-of-service regulations and drive while fatigued. The investigation also determined that the bus’s significantly slower speed contributed to the severity of the crash.” According to a press release, the crash occurred on Dec. 16, 2022 when the semi-truck collided with the rear of the slower-moving bus on Interstate 64. The bus was traveling at 20 to 25 miles per hour in the right lane, while the truck was traveling at 65 to 70 miles per hour with cruise control engaged. The speed limit on I-64 is 70 miles per hour. “The truck driver did not brake or take any evasive action as the truck approached the bus,” the release said. “The collision caused the roof and sidewalls of the bus to detach, exposing the occupants. The bus then rotated, crossed the lane, and breached the guardrail. As a result, three bus occupants died, nine occupants and the truck driver sustained serious injuries, and 11 bus occupants sustained minor injuries.” As a result of the investigation, the NTSB is issuing six new recommendations and reiterating three previous recommendations. New recommendations include: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration should strengthen electronic logging device requirements to prevent opportunities for the creation of fake driver accounts. The Commonwealth of Virginia should offer management safety guidance to new intrastate motor carrier licensees covering license class, drug and alcohol testing, fatigue management, vehicle maintenance, and safe commercial vehicle operation. Triton Logistics should implement a process to regularly verify the accuracy of drivers’ records of duty, implement a robust fatigue management program, and proactively use onboard inward- and forward-facing video event recording to improve driver training. The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance should use this crash to educate its members on the importance of safeguarding the electronic logging device system to prevent falsification of information. Reiterated recommendations include: ​The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration should complete the development and application of performance standards for the assessment of forward collision avoidance systems in commercial vehicles. NHTSA should also require that all buses and trucks over 10,000 pounds be equipped with onboard video recorders that record parametric data associated with an event. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration should provide guidance to motor carriers on the use of onboard video recordings to ensure driver compliance with regulations and safe operations. The full report on crash investigation is available on the NTSB’s website. To report an incident/accident or if you are a public safety agency, please call 1-844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290 to speak to a Watch Officer at the NTSB Response Operations Center (ROC) in Washington, DC (24/7).

Cargo thefts peak Labor Day weekend; here’s how to help keep your cargo safe

By Dana Guthrie -

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — CargoNet is issuing a critical advisory to the logistics industry regarding the increased risk of criminal theft activity during the upcoming Labor Day Holiday Week. According to media release from the company, in a comprehensive analysis of supply chain risk events over the past five years, CargoNet has identified concerning patterns that demand immediate attention from industry professionals. The study, which examined 179 incidents occurring between the Thursday before Labor Day and the Wednesday after, reveals a landscape of heightened vulnerability for cargo during this holiday period.”The data paints a clear picture,” the company said. “Theft incidents peak on the Friday preceding Labor Day. This trend suggests that loaded conveyances, left unattended as workers begin their holiday weekend, become prime targets for opportunistic thieves. The risk is further compounded by the fact that many of these thefts may go unnoticed until business resumes after the holiday.” According to the release, CargoNet’s findings indicate that theft activity hit record levels in 2022 and maintained this elevated state through 2023. Geographically, the states of California, Texas, and Florida emerged as hotspots for criminal activity. Drilling down to the county level, San Bernardino and Los Angeles in California, Dallas, Texas, and Cook, Ill. were identified as the most frequently targeted areas. This information is crucial for logistics companies operating in or through these regions to enhance their security measures accordingly. High-value electronics such as televisions and displays, major appliances, computers and computer parts, and vehicle maintenance products like motor oils topped the list of most sought-after items. Warehouses, truck stops, and large retail parking lots, rather than truck yards, were found to be the most common sites for these thefts. “Despite the rising sophistication of cargo theft operations, CargoNet’s data shows that traditional cargo or conveyance thefts still outnumber complex fraud schemes, even in 2023,” the release said. “CargoNet cautions the industry that cargo thieves are increasingly savvy and well aware that extended holiday closures work to their advantage. Logistics professionals are strongly urged to remain vigilant and implement enhanced security protocols during the Labor Day holiday week.” Noteworthy thefts from previous Labor Day holidays $1,088,983 in seafood stolen from Sioux City, Iowa. $800,000 in footwear stolen from Memphis, Tenn. $713,000 in apparel and accessories stolen from Eastvale, Calif. $500,000 in air purification machines stolen from North Las Vegas, Nev. $439,484 in hair dryers stolen from Ontario, Canada. *Footnote: The Labor Day holiday analysis period consists of the Thursday before Labor Day to the Wednesday after Labor Day, 2019-2023.

CBP officers seize $3M in cocaine hidden in commercial charcoal shipment

By Dana Guthrie -

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations officers at Rio Grande City Port of Entry seized more than $3 million in cocaine in a single enforcement action.   “Our frontline officers continue to exercise vigilance in the cargo environment and their inspection skill coupled with technology and our canine unit all contributed to this significant seizure,” said Rogelio Olivares, Port Director for the Rio Grande City Port of Entry. “Seizures like these exemplify CBP’s commitment to advancing our border security mission while facilitating lawful trade and travel.”  According to a press release, the seizure occurred on August 24 at the Rio Grande City International Bridge when a CBP officer referred a tractor trailer hauling a shipment of charcoal for secondary inspection. CBP officers conducted a secondary examination that included utilization of a non-intrusive inspection system and CBP canines. CBP officers found 100 packages containing 228 pounds of alleged cocaine in the conveyance. The narcotics had a street value of $3,044,859.  CBP seized the narcotics and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents are investigating the seizure.    Follow the Director of CBP’s Laredo Field Office on X at @DFOLaredo and also U.S. Customs and Border Protection at @CBPSouthTexas for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos. 

Navistar names Robert Oh as new CDIO for IT department

By Dana Guthrie -

LISLE, Ill.  — Navistar has announced the appointment of Robert Oh as Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO) to lead the enterprise digital and information technology (IT) department beginning Sept. 16. “The introduction of a CDIO to our organization is a pivotal moment as we align our digital transformation initiatives with the importance of a secure, efficient, and connected IT infrastructure,” said Mathias Carlbaum, president and CEO. “Robert’s depth of technical knowledge is impressive, and his eagerness to act as a change agent is inspiring as we embrace innovation and continue to deliver exceptional value to our customers.” According to a company media release, Navistar said that with technology continuing to evolve at a rapid pace, the company is embarking on its digital transformation and Oh will spearhead the mission “Oh will enable the company to accelerate innovation and growth through the execution of a transformational digital roadmap, while modernizing and optimizing systems to ensure a safe and resilient digital ecosystem,” the company said in the release. Oh will be responsible for maintaining and improving Navistar‘s IT processes to maximize efficiency and deliver differentiated digital solutions to dealer partners and customers. He is also tasked with ensuring that the technological functionality supports the company’s overall strategic vision, maintaining a productive work environment, keeping the company current on industry best practices, and protecting company systems from external threats. Navistar noted that Oh has extensive experience leading information technology, digital transformation, enterprise business process, and global P&L management efforts for Fortune 500 multinational companies. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Digital and Chief Operating Officer of the Digital Innovation Business Unit at Doosan Group, a South Korean conglomerate focused on sustainable energy, smart machines, and advanced materials. “From my perspective, it’s both a privilege and a challenge to join this esteemed company with such rich history,” said Oh. “I am looking forward to leading our digital transformation efforts, leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive innovation, resiliency, and efficiency. Together, we will build on our legacy and pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for the commercial transportation industry.” To learn more about Navistar‘s governance and executive management, visit www.navistar.com/about-us/governance.

Co-owner of shuttered Massachusetts trucking company pleads guilty to falsifying driving logs 

By Dana Guthrie -

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The co-owner of a now-defunct trucking company pleaded guilty to three charges of making false statements after he falsified driving logs.  According to a press release from U.S. Office of the Transportation Office of the Inspector General, Dunyadar Gasanov pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to making false statements.    Dunyadar Gasanov and Dartanyan Gasanov were previously indicted on February 25, 2021. According to court filings, Dunyadar Gasanov co-owned the now-defunct Westfield Transport Inc., a for-hire interstate motor carrier that transported vehicles. Dartanyan Gasanov pleaded not guilty to similar charges and is awaiting trial. From May 3, 2019, to June 23, 2019, Dunyadar and, allegedly, Dartanayan Gasanov, falsified driving logs in order to evade Federal regulations designed to ensure the safety of roadways and drivers. According to an Associated Press analysis of federal data, Westfield Transport had faced over 60 violations over the previous 24 months before a deadly crash that killed seven in June 2019. About one in five inspections of its vehicles ended with federal investigators issuing temporary orders saying the carrier was not authorized to operate. The company’s out-of-service rate is 20.8% — a figure nearly four times greater than the national average of 5.5%. Dunyadar Gasanov instructed at least one Westfield Transport employee to falsify records, thereby exceeding the number of permissible driving hours, and then made false statements to Federal safety inspectors about manipulating devices that track drivers’ on and off duty hours. He also falsely stated to safety inspectors that he met a Westfield Transport driver, Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, who was involved in a crash in New Hampshire on June 21, 2019 that killed seven on the day the he was hired. Investigators learned that Dunyadar Gasanov had known Zhukovskyy for years prior. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)stated in its report on the crash that Westfield Transport’s owners tried to add Zhukovskyy to its insurance policy an hour after the driver was involved in the fatal crash. Investigators claimed that Westfield Transport failed to check Zhukovskyy’s driving record before hiring him. According to the NTSB report, Zhukovskyy admitted to using heroin and cocaine on the day of the fatal crash. The NTSB report also asserts that Westfield Transport managers and drivers “routinely tampered with electronic logging devices and falsified hours-of-service logs.” The NTSB report called for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to remove KeepTruckin devices from its list of approved vendors. In 2022, a jury found Zhukovskyy not guilty of multiple manslaughter and negligent homicide counts stemming from the June 21, 2019, collision in Randolph that killed seven members of the Jarheads Motorcycle Club, an organization of Marine Corps veterans and their spouses in New England.  DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with assistance from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board. 

Former Missouri mayor sentenced in fraud scheme, identity theft of truckers

By Dana Guthrie -

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A former mayor and alderman of Willard, Mo., was sentenced in federal court on Monday for a five-year-long scheme in which he used personal identity information to steal nearly $300,000 from more than 500 truck drivers who worked for his employer. Corey Louis Hendrickson, 46, of Springfield, Mo., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to three years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Hendrickson to pay $298,737 in restitution. According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri, on Oct. 24, 2023, Hendrickson pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. Hendrickson, who served as Willard’s mayor from 2015 to 2021 before being elected as an alderman in 2022, resigned from his position on the Willard Board of Aldermen the same day. The release noted that Hendrickson admitted that he gained unauthorized access to the fuel expense accounts of more than 500 individuals and conducted more than 1,000 fraudulent transactions that resulted in at least $298,737 being stolen from his victims. Hendrickson’s fraud scheme lasted almost five years, from Sept. 9, 2016, to Aug. 17, 2021. Hendrickson worked as a fleet dispatcher for Prime Incorporated, a freight transportation and logistics trucking company that is headquartered in Springfield. Prime contracted with ComData to serve as a payment processor and issuer of fleet fuel cards, and to maintain the financial accounts of Prime drivers that were used to pay for fuel costs as needed by the truck drivers.  Prime put funds into each driver’s ComData account, which was then utilized for driving expenses such as fuel. ComData cards were used by the drivers like a bank card. Hendrickson used his computer access to steal the identity information of drivers and withdraw nearly $300,000 from the accounts intended to pay for the fuel costs for drivers employed by Prime. He transferred the stolen funds into his personal bank accounts. According to court documents, Hendrickson’s victims incurred losses that ranged between less than $100 to $6,495, with the average loss of a few hundred dollars for each Prime driver’s account. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the U.S. Secret Service and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.