The Trucker News Staff

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. — A semi-truck struck and killed a bear Monday on Interstate 55 near Herculaneum, Missouri. Authorities said they believe it’s the same bear that traveled to different cities in Jefferson County in recent days. A search online shows multiple photos of the bear from different motorists who had encountered it. Wildlife experts said the bear population is growing faster than ever. “This is the time of year when (bear sightings) would be more common. In late spring, early summer, it’s the point at which the mother cubs will push out the males that have been there for a year and a half, because she’s got new cubs coming in,” Missouri Department of Conservation representative Dan Zarlenga told fox2now.com. The big rig driver was not injured, police said.

AUSTIN, Texas — One person is dead after a motorcycle collided with a tractor-trailer early Saturday morning in Austin. Authorities said that the motorcyclist was possibly hit by other vehicles as well. KEYE reports that medics responded to a call around 2:23 a.m. reporting a possible automobile and pedestrian collision in the 3000-3500 block of the southbound lanes of I-35, across the street from St. Edwards University. FINAL #ATXTrafficFatality 3000-3500 S IH 35 SB (02:23 x-street St Edwards) Expect #ATXTraffic closures. #ATCEMSMedics have obtained a deceased on-scene pronouncement of an adult patient from a possible auto vs pedestrian collision. No further information available. pic.twitter.com/vicyFcw4jB — ATCEMS (@ATCEMS) June 11, 2022 “The Austin Police Department’s Watch Command said the preliminary investigation indicates a woman in her 20s was driving a motorcycle on I-35 South when she was struck by an 18-wheeler and fell off from the impact,” KEYE reported. Police believe that the woman was struck by at least two other vehicles on the road. She was declared dead on the scene at 2:40 a.m. The drivers involved stopped and cooperated with police who are still actively investigating the crash.

BOSTON — The first of 36 consecutive weekend closures of the Sumner Tunnel caused some traffic jams — and irritated drivers. The closure from late Friday to early Monday marked the start of major restoration work on the 88-year-old tunnel by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The Sumner Tunnel carries traffic under the harbor into Boston from East Boston, where Logan International Airport is located. The project will restore overhead arch, overhaul the deteriorating road surface and install new lights, among other things. The project will eventually require the tunnel to be closed seven days a week, but that won’t happen until May 2023.

SAN ANTONIO — Three people were injured after tractor-trailer crashed through a concrete wall into an empty Texas hotel swimming pool during the wee hours of Saturday morning. KCRA reports that a small black sedan collided with the tractor-trailer at approximately 3 a.m. on an access road off Interstate 35 in San Antonio. KSAT reports that the impact from the crash sent both vehicles off the road into a wooden utility pole and through a concrete wall of the Hallmark Inn and Suites hotel. San Antonio police said that the sedan was trapped between the 18-wheeler and the concrete wall. The tractor-trailer continued to move forward through the wall and crashed into the hotel’s empty pool. Emergency personnel were guided by witnesses to a 39-year-old woman who had been walking along the sidewalk, according to police. She was taken to an area hospital in critical condition. Two people inside the sedan were also injured and taken by EMS to an area hospital. They were last reported to be in stable condition. The tractor-trailer’s driver was reported to be uninjured. No injuries were reported from within the hotel, according to SAPD. The cause of the crash is currently being investigated, and the driver of the sedan was evaluated for possible DWI.

GARY, Ind. — The Indiana Toll Road is increasing its rates by more than 9 percent starting this July. In a news release, the Indiana Toll Road Concession Company announced that on July 1, the cost of a full trip from Ohio to Illinois in a standard passenger vehicle will increase from $12.28 to $13.50. Semi truckers will have to pay $72.88 for an end-to-end trip, up from $66.30 today. As always, the exact amount paid will vary based on distance traveled, but cash and E-Z pass users will now be charged the same rates. Currently, E-Z pass users pay a few cents more. According to the release, the annual rate hikes are in accordance with the toll road’s 75-year lease agreement. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels privatized the toll road in 2006. The ITRCC is a subsidiary of Australian firm IFM Infestors and currently holds the lease to operate the highway. The release says the ITRCC has invested nearly $600 million dollars in infrastructure upgrades since 2016, including the reconstruction of more than 70 percent of pavement lane miles, interchanges and bridges. The company has also completely reconstructed the highway’s eight travel plazas. An upgrade of toll plaza technology and the accompanying lane systems is expected to be completed later this year. The updated rates for all axle vehicles are available online.

WASHINGTON — The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is urging the Senate Commerce Committee to swiftly confirm Robin Hutcheson as Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator (FMCSA) In a letter to the Committee, ATA President and CEO Chris Spear cited Hutcheson’s experience and her work as FMCSA acting administrator as reasons for ATA’s support of her nomination. “Since her appointment as Acting Administrator in January, Ms. Hutcheson has worked closely with the trucking industry to confront supply chain, workforce, and safety challenges, while pressing forward with the implementation of vital programs included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” Spear wrote. “Ms. Hutcheson’s response to the challenges facing our industry has been timely and effective, and we are confident she will bring that same focus to her role as the administrator of the FMCSA. Throughout Ms. Hutcheson’s tenure as acting and deputy \administrator of FMCSA, we have been particularly impressed by her candid, collaborative, and valuable engagement with motor carriers, drivers, and stakeholders throughout the industry.”

The Wisconsin State Patrol (WSP) is reminding big rig drivers that only emergency and highway maintenance vehicles are allowed to use interstate highway crossovers. In a Monday morning Facebook post, the WSP wrote: “Thankfully everyone survived this crash, but it was preventable. If you miss your exit and need to turn around, the safe and legal option is to proceed to the next exit and use the off and on ramps.” The WSP post did not note where or when this accident took place.  

CENTERVILLE, Texas — A deadly crash in Texas claimed the life of one person and left two firefighters injured. KBTX reports that emergency crews were responding to a crash involving a car and pickup truck on the afternoon of June 6 along Interstate 45. Soon after, a tractor-trailer crashed into the car and truck on the northbound lanes of I-45, causing the 18-wheeler to overturn on top of the car and hitting two volunteer firefighters with the Centerville Fire Department. The driver of the car, Jocelyn Ortega, 27, of Dallas, was pronounced dead at the scene. UPDATE: Two Centerville firefighters struck by a semi today on I-45 in Leon County are expected to survive. One has a serious leg injury. The firefighters were on the highway helping with a minor crash when the truck plowed into them. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/kgRux7UFFS — 🚨 Rusty Surette 🚨 (@KBTXRusty) June 7, 2022 Colton Adams, 21, one of the firefighters, was airlifted to a hospital in Temple Texas with serious injuries. The other firefighter, Clint Franklin, 46, was also taken by air ambulance to the hospital but was later treated and released. Adams’ foot would later be amputated, according to a post on the Centerville Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page. “Firefighter Colton Adams had another surgery this morning to clean and evaluate his amputated foot,” the post stated. “The team of physicians determined his heel was not viable and significant damage was present to the calf. As a result, a beneath the knee amputation was performed. The surgery was deemed successful and he is in stable condition.” The Texas Department of Public Safety is currently investigating the pair of crashes.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Three graduating seniors have been selected to receive scholarships from the Arkansas Trucking Association. Each of the students will receive a $7,500 scholarship from the Carl Tapp Memorial Scholarship Fund to support their pursuit of careers in medium/heavy duty truck technology. Below are the 2022 Carl Tapp Scholarship recipients: Colton Bell of Harrison, Arkansas; Cole Goodeaux of Hot Springs, Arkansas; and Will Wade of Sherwood, Arkansas. “Americans have come to appreciate full shelves and all of our needs and wants being delivered to our doorsteps. Skilled technicians keep the trucks running, the wheels turning, ensuring safe and timely delivery for all of us,” Shannon Newton, Arkansas Trucking Association president, said. “It’s my honor to welcome this year’s scholarship recipients into our industry. I’m excited about their opportunity to access training and pursue successful careers.” Colton Bell is a senior at Harrison High School where he is an active participant of the local FFA chapter and the team captain of the Electric CDE program. Bell has taken mechanical, technical, and OSHA courses during high school, and since he was 16, he has worked at Distribution Solutions, Inc. as a diesel mechanic assistant. “It takes remarkable work ethic and drive to be able to do what Colton has done—to not only graduate from high school while working, but to excel at both,” Mike McNutt, president of Distribution Solutions, Inc., said. “Our industry needs more talented, determined young professionals like Colton. We are proud of the skills he has developed and we’re excited to see him continue to grow as part of our team with the help of the Carl Tapp scholarship.” Bell plans to attend Northwest Technical Institute this fall. Cole Goodeaux graduated from Lakeside High School in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he won the 2021 Lakeside Wrestling Leadership Award. For the last two years, Goodeaux has studied concurrently at the ASU Three Rivers Career Center in Malvern, Arkansas, taking every automotive course the school offers. His junior and senior year, he won the “Golden Wrench” award and placed first at Arkansas’ Skills USA 2021 state championship. Goodeaux plans to attend ASU-Beebe this fall. Will Wade, also from Lakeside High School, will be receiving scholarship funds to attend ASU-Beebe. Wade is passionate about automotive repair and has taken concurrent vocational college courses at National Park College. “It is truly an honor to be able to award these scholarships while paying tribute to Carl’s memory,” Kenneth Calhoun, founding member of the scholarship committee, said. “Once again, the candidates were so strong that the committee could not decide on just two recipients. It is encouraging for our future knowing that these gentlemen will be joining our industry and supporting the equipment that moves, well, everything.” The Arkansas Trucking Association’s Maintenance & Technology Council established the Carl Tapp Memorial Scholarship Fund to celebrate Carl Tapp, the council’s first chairman, and his career-long commitment to nurturing new talent in the industry. The fund is intended to enable and encourage growth in the state’s diesel technician workforce and to help assure that the safest, most knowledgeable and skilled technicians are working on the trucks and trailers on our nation’s roads. Candidates were evaluated based upon their interest and performance in STEM courses, teacher and mentor recommendations and personal interviews with the scholarship committee of industry experts. These scholarships have been made possible by the vision and investment in the future of trucking in Arkansas by the following companies and individuals: ABF Freight, ArcBest, Bruce Purkey, DAVCO Technology, Doggett Freightliner of Arkansas, FleetNet America, Hoover Family, Inland PacLease, Kenneth Calhoun, Maverick Transportation, McConnell & Son, McKee Foods Transportation, MHC Kenworth Leasing, NorCal PacLease, PACCAR, PACCAR Leasing Company, PacLease Dallas, Pressure Systems International, Southland PacLease, Summit Truck Group, TechForce Foundation, The Tapp Family, TLG Peterbilt, Truck Centers of Arkansas, Truck-Lite Co., University of Central Arkansas and Walt Luethy. For more information about the Scholarship Fund, visit www.arkansastrucking.com/tech-scholarship.        

WASHINGTON — National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy Thursday praised the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF) on their pilot project to test solutions to slow traffic. “GHSA, IIHS and NRSF have partnered to identify effective measures to reduce speeding,” said Chair Jennifer Homendy. “This project shows what NTSB has been advocating for all along, that taking action and implementing a Safe System Approach reduces speeding and will ultimately save lives.” The NTSB published a safety study in 2017 entitled Reducing Speeding-Related Crashes Involving Passenger Vehicles. In this study, the NTSB made 19 safety recommendations, including for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to work with stakeholders to develop and implement ongoing programs to increase public awareness of speeding as a national traffic safety issue. “I am encouraged by the results of this pilot project, and I continue to call on stakeholders to act immediately and implement our road safety recommendations,” Homendy said. “We will not stop advocating for road safety until we reach the goal of zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads.” Implement a Comprehensive Strategy to Eliminate Speeding-Related Crashes and Protect Vulnerable Road Users Through a Safe System Approach are on the NTSB’s Most Wanted List of Transportation Safety Improvements.

OREGON, Wis. — A highway was closed after a truck driver found a body on the side of the road near Oregon, Wisconsin, Wednesday evening. Channel3000 reports that the driver found the body in a ditch in the area of County Highways MM and A shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday. “What we’re asking is that anybody that lives nearby that might have Ring doorbell footage, that might’ve… heard or seen anything in the last 24 hours, we’d certainly like them to reach out to us,” Dane County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Elise Schaffer told Channel3000. CTH MM south of CTH A is currently closed in both directions for a fatality investigation. Please find an alternative route. — Dane County Sheriff’s Office (@DaneSheriff) June 9, 2022 Deputies canvassed the area and talked to nearby residents to gather information. The cause and circumstances of the person’s death are still unclear. Anyone with information can contact the sheriff’s office at 608-255-2345 or a tip line at 608-284-6900.

CHESTER COUNTY, Pennsylvania — A tractor-trailer’s failure to stop for traffic and debris caused a multi-vehicle crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Monday morning. WFMZ reports that the crash shut down a stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Chester County, Pennsylvania, causing a backup that impacted drivers heading through Berks County. Pennsylvania State Police said the wreck near the Downingtown exit involved four-tractor trailers. Five people were taken to Paoli Hospital in Paoli, Pennsylvania. The extent of the injuries suffered during the crash are unknown.