TheTrucker.com

Bison Transport Inc. acquires Hartt Transportation

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Bison Transport has acquired Bangor, Maine-based Hartt Transportation Systems, Inc. after obtaining 100 percent of the company’s issued and outstanding shares. According to a Bison news release Hartt is one of the largest truckload carriers based in the northeast with 360-plus tractors and 2100-plus trailers, along with a sizeable logistics offering. “I am excited for my employees to become part of the Bison family, as we share similar core values and cultures,” said Billy Hartt, past president and CEO of Hartt Transportation Systems, Inc. “I am certain that, with the merger of Hartt’s and Bison’s teams, they will produce amazing results and become an even stronger carrier for the future.” Hartt is a second-generation business founded in 1948 by Delmont E. Hartt and then owned by his son, Billy Hartt, until it was acquired by Bison. “Hartt’s success over the last 70-plus years has been driven by a long tenured and reputable customer base, low driver turnover, a focus on safety, a quality fleet and a strong company culture,” the Bison news release stated. “These factors are similar to those that have allowed Bison to be successful, leading us to see a strong strategic fit between our companies.” Bison President & CEO Rob Penner said at the closing of the transaction that, “These are truly exciting times for all involved. I have had the privilege of meeting and spending time with the Hartt leadership team, and collectively we feel strongly about the cultural fit.” Marc Wolding, president of Bison Transport USA, noted that, “We want to extend a warm welcome to all Hartt employees. The entire Hartt Transportation team should be extremely proud of the business which has grown to become a premier carrier in the eastern U.S. There is a very bright future in front of us, and I am looking forward to seeing us grow together.” Financial details of the transaction will not be made public.

Combating human trafficking: Awareness campaign set to begin

WASHINGTON — Mexico is joining the U.S. and Canada for this year’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) three-day Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative. The initiative is designed to raise awareness and is an outreach effort to educate commercial motor vehicle drivers, motor carriers, law enforcement officers and the general public about the crime of human trafficking, along with the signs to look for and what drivers should do if they suspect someone is being trafficked. Mexico’s Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative is scheduled for March 15-17. In the U.S., the initiative is slated for Jan. 11-13. In Canada, it’s scheduled for Feb. 22-24. According to the United Nations, human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception with the aim of exploiting them for profit. Men, women and children of all ages and from all backgrounds can become victims of this crime, which occurs in every region of the world, including North America. Through a collaboration with Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation, The Well of Life, the Citizen Council for Security and Justice of Mexico City, and Truckers Against Trafficking, a Spanish-language educational video on human trafficking and wallet cards were created and are available for distribution to drivers and motor carriers in Mexico. In addition, during the three-day outreach and awareness initiatives, CVSA jurisdictions in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. will note human trafficking awareness and outreach data and submit that data to the Alliance. “As the Alliance launches this new annual human trafficking awareness and outreach campaign, we’re pleased to have all three countries of this North American organization participate in the effort to eradicate the crime of human trafficking,” said CVSA President Capt. John Broers with the South Dakota Highway Patrol. To find out what jurisdictions in Canada, Mexico and the U.S. are doing to increase human trafficking awareness, drivers are urged to contact the agency/department responsible for overseeing commercial motor vehicle safety in their area. Some of the warning signs that a person may be the victim of trafficking are: Appearing malnourished; showing signs of physical injuries and abuse; avoiding eye contact, social interaction and authority figures/law enforcement; seeming to adhere to scripted or rehearsed responses in social interaction; or appearing destitute/lacking personal possessions. “Human trafficking takes place on every mode of transportation in America – and we must change that,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “I ask all transportation professionals to join this effort, and it’s equally important for commuters and travelers to be empowered to recognize and report signs of human trafficking anywhere it happens in our transportation systems.” Buttigieg’s remarks come as the DOT announces the recipient of its annual $50,000 “Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award,” which provides resources for individuals and organizations that are developing innovative initiatives to combat human trafficking in the transportation sector. These could include new technology, tools, or campaigns. The award was established in late 2019 after a recommendation by the Department’s Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking. As the first-place awardee, the A21 Campaign is expanding its Can You See Me? Roadside Billboard Initiative of 1,000 counter-trafficking billboards in 46 cities across the U.S. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development earned second place for its Combating Silence: Increasing Awareness to Louisiana Human Trafficking proposal to reach up to 5.3 million road users. Busing on the Lookout received third place for its Capturing Innovation to Build Public Transit’s Capacity to Combat Human Trafficking proposal that will engage up to 72 transit agencies to increase human trafficking training, partnerships, awareness, and reporting among transit agencies throughout the country. The awards follow the recent release of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Action Plan (NAP) to Combat Human Trafficking, a whole-of-government approach that prioritizes combating human trafficking through prevention, protection, prosecution and partnerships. As part of its commitment to support the NAP, DOT will increase stakeholder engagement, expand training and awareness for transportation employees and the traveling public, and continue to ensure that states permanently ban drivers convicted of human trafficking from operating a commercial motor vehicle for which a commercial driver’s license or a commercial learner’s permit is required. Some of the other ways in which DOT is working to combat human trafficking include: The Department is a member of the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (PITF), a Cabinet-level entity chaired by the Secretary of State to coordinate Federal efforts to combat trafficking in persons. The Department’s Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking (TLAHT) initiative comprises more than 500 transportation and travel industry stakeholders working jointly to maximize their collective impact in combating human trafficking across all modes of transportation. Stakeholders can sign the TLAHT pledge by clicking here. DOT continues to underscore the important role transportation ministries have in combating human trafficking through its participation in multilateral organizations, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Transportation Working Group, and the International Transport Forum. For more information about the department’s efforts to end human trafficking, click here. Recently, five missing teenage girls that were considered endangered were found in a lengthy, months-long rescue by multiple agencies in Louisiana. According to an article by NBC, the operation titled, “Boo Dat,” involved multiple agencies including the New Orleans Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service New Orleans Task Force and Louisiana State Police. The operation was completed over a period of months between mid-October to Dec. 24. The girls, ranging in age from 14 to 17, were located in a variety of places. Two of the girls were sisters, ages 15 and 16 and it is believed they “may have been victims of adult felony criminal sexual activities,” according to a release. The girls were located at an apartment in Baton Rouge. Thirty people were arrested and 17 of the 30 people had violated their sex offender registry restrictions.

Jimmy Dean gives trucker year’s supply of breakfast

NEW YORK — Professional truck driver Jean-Carlo Gachet went viral Tuesday after a video showed him offering an SUV driver a hot Jimmy Dean breakfast bowl during the Interstate 95 gridlock. The interstate was closed for around 24 hours, from Monday to Tuesday, after snow and ice piled up quickly behind several jackknifed 18-wheelers. By Wednesday, the Jimmy Dean company was offering Gachet a year’s worth of the brand’s breakfast, along with a generous donation of 100,000 breakfasts to Feeding America. Gachet said he keeps the ready-made bowls in his rig and warms them with his on-board microwave. “Us as truckers, we have resources; we have water we have food,” Gachet said. “Just knowing I could step out and lend someone a hand like that meant a lot to me.” In an e-mail, a Jimmy Dean spokesperson said the brand “was inspired by his act of generosity and morning optimism.”

Closures remain on several Oregon highways after blizzard

SALEM, Ore. — Parts of several major highways in Oregon remained closed Wednesday or shut down again due to snow from a blizzard earlier this week compounded by fresh snowfall in some areas and more rain and snow expected. Interstate 84 shut down Wednesday east of Pendleton and a 30-mile stretch of Highway 20 over the Santiam Pass was closed because snowplows couldn’t get through. A winter storm warning was in effect for the northern Oregon Cascades including Santiam Pass through midnight. The Oregon Department of Transportation Wednesday afternoon tweeted that tow operators have been busy on I-84 in eastern Oregon, and showed a clip of semitrailer trucks stuck on the snow-covered interstate. Major highways around Crater Lake National Park also remained closed and Hoodoo Ski Area was also closed Wednesday. In northwest Washington, authorities say a man walking along a highway was killed when a snowplow struck him Tuesday evening. The Bellingham Herald reports 47-year-old Aaron Cooper of Deming was walking along Highway 9 when a Whatcom County Public Works snowplow hit him, according to the Washington State Patrol. “The pedestrian had their back to traffic, and the driver of the snowplow did not see him until it was too late,” Trooper Jacob Kennett said. A wintry mix of precipitation was expected throughout the Puget Sound region Wednesday with possible snow accumulations in and around Bellingham. Authorities also urged people to delay trips over Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90 as another foot of snow fell on the pass in an already record-breaking year with more expected. “We’re gearing up for a massive storm, which could dump a couple of feet of snow by Thursday!” The National Weather Service in Seattle tweeted about Cascade Mountain passes. “If you can delay your trip over the next 24 hours pls do. We’re going to see very challenging driving conditions with major delays.” The Oregon Department of Transportation said Wednesday that “travelers need to be prepared for anything that comes their way and be ready for lengthy delays” as conditions evolve. I-84 was shut down for hours Monday in the Columbia River Gorge due to heavy snow, ice and gusting winds. The weather is expected to warm and bring more rain than snow to the region in the next few days and flooding could occur.

Video shows semi wreck, explosion at Arkansas intersection

ROGERS, Ark. — An 18-wheeler driver hauling a load of sawdust was hospitalized on Wednesday after their rig flipped and caused an explosion in a northwest Arkansas intersection. According to THV11 in Little Rock, the crash knocked over power lines and backed up morning rush hour traffic in Rogers. At least one other vehicle was involved in the accident, though only the truck driver was reported to have been injured. A photo from the Rogers Police Department showed a compact car at the wreck scene covered in sawdust. Video of the crash, which included a large fireball, was captured by a nearby gas station’s security camera. Photos of the tractor did not appear to show any significant fire damage. Police said workers at the station helped pull the truck driver away from the wreckage. Below is video of the incident.

Arkansas Razorbacks celebrate Johnelle Hunt’s 90th birthday

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The matriarch of the J.B. Hunt trucking empire celebrated her 90th birthday on Wednesday night with a Hog call and a birthday cake. The Arkansas Razorbacks honored long-time supporter Johnelle Hunt at Bud Walton arena during halftime of the Arkansas basketball game against Vanderbilt. In 1961, Hunt and her late husband J.B. founded what’s now known as J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. The company is headquartered in Lowell, Arkansas, just 27 miles from Fayetteville. University of Arkansas Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek praised Hunt, clad in a Razorback Red pantsuit and sporting a wide smile, and her company for their long-time financial support of the college and its athletic programs. Yurachek presented Hunt with a cake during the halftime ceremony, saying it was an honor to host her at Bud Walton Arena. After blowing out a “90” candle that sat on top of the cake, Hunt and the entire arena erupted in the “Hog Call,” which is the university’s signature pep cheer at athletic and other events. In a tweet, the Razorback Foundation wrote: “Happy Birthday to an iconic Razorback fan!”

Tennessee DOT says it’s ready for winter weather

NASHVILLE – In light of the major backup seen on Virginia’s Interstate 95 earlier this week due to snow and ice, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) on Wednesday sent out a notice to motorists saying that they are “stocked and ready to clear roadways of ice and snow” ahead of Thursday’s predicted winter weather. According to a TDOT news release, salt supplies have been replenished in all 95 counties in preparation for the winter season, and crews have readied snow plows and brine trucks. TDOT said that crews were already out on Wednesday pre-treating state routes and interstates. “We prepare for winter weather months in advance,” TDOT Commissioner Joe Galbato said. “Our salt bins and our brine are fully stocked, and our employees are ready to mobilize in the event of inclement weather. Clearing our roadways as soon as we can is vital to keeping motorists safe and traffic moving in Tennessee.” TDOT’s statewide 2021/2022 winter weather budget is $25.6 million and includes salt, salt brine, overtime for employees and equipment maintenance. The department has salt vendors to refill salt bins as needed in all 95 Tennessee counties. TDOT currently has nearly 200,000 tons of salt and more than 1.5 million gallons of salt brine ready for use. Salt brine is a salt/water mixture used for pre-treating roads before a winter storm or to melt snow on roadways when temperatures are hovering around the freezing mark. Salt is applied to roads once the snow has started to accumulate. When snow hits Tennessee, TDOT ice and snow removal teams focus first on clearing interstates and heavily traveled state routes and specifically target areas vulnerable to freezing, such as hills, curves, ramps, bridges and interchanges. During prolonged weather events, crews may have to clear roadways repeatedly.

Trucker killed after being impaled by load of steel beams

EL CAJON, Calif. — The driver of a semi hauling large beams on a flatbed died Tuesday afternoon after one of the beams crashed through the cab and impaled them. According to the California Highway Patrol, the blue, single-cab Peterbilt stopped in the number one lane of Interstate 8 just before 3 p.m. in East County. The driver was not named, and there were no other vehicles involved in the incident. CHP didn’t say what made the load shift, and the investigation is ongoing.

Freestyle Transport wins bid for Kenworth T680; net proceeds benefit TAT

PERRIS, Calif. — The “Everyday Heroes” Kenworth T680 Next Generation was auctioned in December at Ritchie Bros. in Perris, California. The winning bid was submitted by Serg Kodryanu, CEO of Freestyle Transport, and resulted in $260,000 being donated in support for Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT). TAT, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is dedicated to stopping human trafficking by educating, mobilizing and empowering the nation’s truck drivers and rest stop employees. Mexico’s Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative is scheduled for March 15-17. In the U.S., the initiative is next week, Jan. 11-13. In Canada, it’s scheduled for Feb. 22-24. In addition to the proceeds raised by the sale of the Kenworth T680 Next Gen, TAT received $68,000 in additional donations from industry suppliers and trucking companies. “Truckers Against Trafficking is an incredible organization that is utilizing our industry to help victims of human trafficking,” Kodryanu said. “After I learned the numbers of how many victims have been affected by human traffickers, I immediately felt it in my heart to make it our company’s mission to support such a great and noble cause as TAT and its mission to stop this terrible crime. “With drivers and other members of our industry spread throughout North America, we have a great opportunity to identify and report suspicious activity and help potential human trafficking victims,” Kodryanu continued. “Our new Everyday Heroes truck will help us spread awareness of human trafficking to other drivers and communities across the country.” Freestyle Transport, a Vancouver, Washington-based company that specializes in delivering refrigerated and dry van freight throughout the lower 48 states, placed the winning bid during an online auction hosted by Ritchie Bros. According to Edward Little, president of Freestyle Transport and who is TAT trained, the company is in the process of getting all its executives, staff, drivers and volunteers TAT trained. He says the company looks forward to increasing awareness about the crime of human trafficking through its new Everyday Heroes Kenworth T680 Next Gen. “I’ve been a longtime supporter of Truckers Against Trafficking and its mission to educate members of our industry to identify potential cases of human trafficking,” Little said. “As a former driver, I saw firsthand the opportunities our industry has to help human trafficking victims. We’re thrilled to have purchased the Everyday Heroes truck and help support such a great organization.” Don Blake, new sales manager at Inland Kenworth, a TAT board member and the driving force behind the auction, expressed his thanks. “The Everyday Heroes Kenworth T680 Next Gen auction was a fantastic success, thanks to Freestyle Transport and our incredible sponsors, who generously donated parts and money to build this special truck,” he noted. “Our goal was to build off the success from the previous two Everyday Heroes Kenworth trucks sold at auction by generating a larger donation to TAT than ever before. We were able to do just that, thanks to heightened interest in the new Kenworth T680 Next Gen and Greg Evigan’s involvement in promoting TAT and this auction.” Evigan is known for his starring role in the television series “B.J. and the Bear,” which aired from 1979 to 1981. “Truckers Against Trafficking is a tremendous organization,” Evigan said. “Congratulations to Freestyle Transport. Your generous bid for the Everyday Heroes truck will make a difference in our communities and help those in need. It was a pleasure to be involved in this project, driven by Don Blake, to promote the Everyday Heroes truck auction and raise awareness for human trafficking.” According to Kendis Paris, TAT executive director, the $328,000 TAT received between the Everyday Heroes truck sale and additional donations surpassed the 2019 Everyday Heroes donation of $162,000 ad is the largest one-time gift in the organization’s history. The funds will help TAT expand its work within the trucking industry and further partnerships with law enforcement. “We are so grateful to have Serg Kodryanu and Freestyle Transport submit the winning bid,” Paris said. “We appreciate Serg’s generous purchase and support, which will help us fund our programs. The Everyday Heroes Kenworth T680 Next Gen will serve as a great addition to its fleet.” The Kenworth T680 Next Gen is fully loaded with a 76-inch sleeper and features the PACCAR powertrain with a PACCAR MX-13 510-hp engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles. According to Little, the company’s new T680 Next Gen will join Freestyle Transport’s fleet of 47 trucks and will make runs to and from Washington state and Florida to generate more exposure to the specially decaled TAT truck throughout the country. “Don Blake’s dedication to TAT and its goal of ending human trafficking is a great example of how one person’s passion, commitment and effort can make a significant positive impact and difference in the lives of thousands,” said Genevieve Bekkerus, Kenworth director of marketing. “Don truly is an inspiration to all of us, and an excellent representative of Inland Kenworth and the Kenworth dealer network. He has put a lot of time and effort into making this auction happen, and it’s been a pleasure to support him in such a great cause,” she said. “The trucking community once again showed its generosity by coming together to support TAT and the fight against human trafficking.” Human trafficking is an industry estimated to be worth $32 billion in the U.S. alone, and $150 billion globally, according to TAT. To further its education, TAT operates the Freedom Driver’s Project, a mobile exhibit that educates members of the trucking industry.

Schneider purchases Midwest Logistics

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Transportation and logistics giant Schneider has acquired Ohio-based truckload carrier Midwest Logistics Systems (MLS) for $263 million. MLS, a dedicated carrier with more 1,000 professional drivers, operates 900 tractors across 30 central U.S. locations. Schneider has acquired 100% of the equity interest in MLS, according to a Schneider news release. The carrier will run as an independent subsidiary of Schneider. MLS professional drivers and associates will continue to operate under the MLS name. “Preserving the MLS identity is essential,” said Schneider President and CEO Mark Rourke. “The carrier’s family-owned nature combined with its strong culture and customer service make it a valuable contributor for growing Schneider’s dedicated operations. With this acquisition, we believe Schneider is on track to generate $1 Billion in annual revenue in our dedicated operations with over 5,000 trucks.” MLS annual revenues are approximately $205 million, and the acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to Schneider’s earnings per share. MLS financial results will be reported in dedicated operations as part of the Truckload segment beginning in the first quarter of 2022. “Schneider is a well-established company and a great cultural fit,” said MLS Vice President Dave DeMoss. “We are excited to be a key component to Schneider’s dedicated growth strategy.” According to the news release, Schneider financed the transaction through cash on hand.

Truckers help feed stranded drivers on snowy I-95

ALONG INTERSTATE 95 — A truck driver, stranded along a snow-covered, 50-mile stretch of Interstate 95 on Monday and Tuesday, became a lifeline for some hungry motorists by offering them breakfast Tuesday morning. And he wasn’t the only driver lending a helping hand. Thousands of semis and passenger cars were left stranded after a quick-moving snowstorm and several jackknifed rigs created an impassable roadblock Monday. Many were stranded for nearly 24 hours before everyone was finally able to move to safety Tuesday afternoon. By late Tuesday evening, I-95 slowly began moving again. Professional driver Jean-Carlo Gachet was interviewed by ABC News’s David Muir on Tuesday night’s World News broadcast after a video showing him offering an SUV driver a hot Jimmy Dean breakfast bowl went viral. Gachet said he keeps the ready-made bowls in his rig and warms them with his on-board microwave. “Us as truckers, we have resources; we have water we have food,” Gachet said.  “Just knowing I could step out and lend someone a hand like that meant a lot to me.” News of Gachet’s kindness quickly spread all the way to Jimmy Dean corporate offices, and the company said in a Wednesday tweet that it is giving him a lifetime supply of the breakfast bowls. Additionally, the company said that they will, in the “spirit of Jean-Carlo’s good deed,” pay it forward by donating 100,000 Jimmy Dean breakfasts to Feeding America. Other truckers up and down the line of stuck vehicles joined Gachet to help however they could. Casey Holihan Noe posted photos on Facebook of a Schmidt Baking Company semi driver delivering bread to her vehicle and others. “We reached out to Schmidt Baking Company and begged them to open their truck that was stuck out here with us,” Noe wrote on Facebook. “We didn’t think it would actually work, but less then 20 minutes later we got an incredible surprise.” Noe continued: “We received a personal call from the owner of the company Chuck who contacted the driver. This driver Ron Hill opened the back of the truck and with the help of some people close by passed out bread to more than 50 cars who were all incredibly thankful. This was one of the kindest moments I have ever witnessed. Thank you Schmidt.” Below is video of Gachet delivering one of the meals to a hungry motorist.

FleetPlow machines quickly remove snow, ice from big rig trailers

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin – Winter is here, and that means mounds of snow in large areas of the nation. That snow can easily build up several feet atop semi-trailers and other large vehicles with flat rooftops. The buildup must be cleared before these vehicles can safely travel on roadways; otherwise, it will blow off in large chucks, hitting any traffic that is traveling behind. FleetPlow from Scraper Systems by Rite-Hite offer a solution through automated snow removal systems for trucks, vans, reefer trailers, containers, box trucks and buses. According to a news release, this piece of snow removal equipment is “designed for safe, efficient, low-maintenance operation in the harshest of winter conditions.” FleetPlow uses a patented “Deep-V” plow blade and can remove up to 24 inches of heavy, wet snow in less than 30 seconds per vehicle, according to the company. Further, a powered height adjustment can accommodate vehicle heights up to 14 feet tall without damaging roofs. A portable model with a rollable chassis frame allows the system to be relocated out of the way when the snow season is over.  

Stoughton to expand intermodal chassis production

STOUGHTON, Wis. — Stoughton Trailers is planning to expand its intermodal chassis production with the opening of a new Waco, Texas, facility later this year. According to a news release, the Waco plant will add additional chassis capacity to Stoughton’s already-expanding production lines in Wisconsin. The construction of the Waco plant is already underway and is expected to be completed quickly, the company said. “As part of its future chassis production plan, Stoughton purchased a parcel of land in Waco and is building a new manufacturing facility to further expand chassis production capacity and tap into alternative labor markets,” the news release stated. Stoughton officials said they expect to begin moving equipment into the new facility by March and start chassis manufacturing by early second quarter. The new production facility is expected to employ up to 125 people. In addition, the company has recently added a new chassis production line in the Stoughton, Wisconsin, facility. Once ramped up to full production, the company expects to employ an additional 150 people in the Stoughton plant, assembling chassis and manufacturing components to feed the other chassis production lines. When the Waco, Stoughton and Evansville facilities are operating at capacity, the collective output of all three facilities will increase the run rate to approximately 20,000 to 25,000 chassis per year, hitting that rate by September 2022, the news release stated. “The new Waco facility and Stoughton production line will help fulfill our customer production commitments for 2022 and beyond,” said Bob Wahlin, president and CEO of Stoughton. “By the end of 2022, the company will have invested $25 million dollars expanding our chassis production capacity. These investments would not have been possible without the remedial relief provided by the antidumping and countervailing duty orders on chassis from China. “I would like to thank our facilities, operations and chassis team members for their hard work to date on these important projects.”  

Daimler recalling certain Western Star, Frieghtliner models due to fire risk

WASHINGTON — According to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHSA) Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) is recalling certain Western Star and Freightliner trucks because of the potential for a high-pressure fuel leak. The NHSA report states that the leak can increase the risk of a fire occurring “in the presence of an ignition source.” The fuel tubes between the fuel rail and the injectors for cylinders four, five and six may fatigue and crack, which can result in a high-pressure fuel leak, according to the DTNA. The recall of components in the diesel fuel system could affect about 2,843 units of the following makes and model years: 2019-2021 FCCC XCP Chassis vehicles; 2019-2022 Freightliner 114SD; 2020-2022 Western Star 4700; 2020 Western Star WJ121; 2021 Western Star WF110; 2021-2022 Western Star 49X; 2021-2022 Freightliner Cascadia P4; and 2022 Western Star 47X. As a remedy, dealers will replace the fuel tubes and install vibration isolators. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Feb. 10, 2022.  

Colorado governor commutes trucker’s 110-year sentence

DENVER — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has commuted the prison term of a truck driver who was sentenced to 110 years following a fatal 2019 accident, reducing the sentence to 10 years. Rogel Aguilera-Mederos killed four people on April 25, 2019, after he said his brakes failed the downhill grade on I-70 eastbound outside of Denver. Prosecutors argued that Aguilera-Mederos acted recklessly and made a series of poor decisions before the deadly wreck. Polis reduced Aguilera-Mederos’ sentencing on Thursday to 10 years, saying in a letter that the life sentence was inappropriate for a “tragic but unintentional act.” “While you are not blameless, your sentence is disproportionate compared with many other inmates in our criminal justice system who committed intentional, premeditated, or violent crimes,” Polis said in a letter addressed to Aguilera-Mederos. Judge Bruce Jones had scheduled a hearing for Jan. 13 to reconsider Aguilera-Mederos’ sentence following widespread outrage over the severity of his punishment and an unusual request by prosecutors to revisit the matter. During a virtual hearing to discuss the request, one of Aguilera-Mederos’ lawyers, James Colgan, said the defense needed some time to do research to see if there were any similar cases that could help guide its approach. Jones said he wanted to learn more about whether the law that allowed him to reconsider the sentence gave him discretion to set whatever sentence he wanted. He said victims would be able to speak at the in-person hearing about whether Aguilera-Mederos should be resentenced. But he noted he did not want them to go through that stress unless they wished to. “I am a captive audience if they want to speak to me,” he said. THE LEAD UP TO COMMUTATION Around 5 million people signed an online petition seeking clemency for Aguilera-Mederos. In addition to the prosecution’s request to lower the sentence, Aguilera-Mederos has requested clemency from Polis. Last week, District Attorney Alexis King said in a statement she would seek a term of 20 to 30 years in the 2019 wreck on Interstate 70 west of Denver. She said that sentencing range reflects an “appropriate outcome” for Aguilera-Mederos’ conduct, noting that the crash was not an accident. After a Monday hearing, King said her office made the reconsideration request to give the court the ability to impose a sentence not bound by the state’s mandatory sentencing laws. She said the judge, knowing the case well, was in the best position to decide a new sentence and urged people to be patient as the court process plays out. Jones imposed the 110-year sentence against Aguilera-Mederos on Dec. 13 after finding it was the mandatory minimum term set forth under state law. “I will state that if I had the discretion, it would not be my sentence,” the judge said during the hearing. Leonard Martinez, another lawyer for Aguilera-Mederos, has said the district attorney’s new requested sentencing range is not consistent with similar cases in Colorado and the United States. Colorado law allows for sentences for crimes deemed violent to be modified in cases with “unusual and extenuating circumstances,” but those sentences cannot take effect until 119 days after a person enters prison. King and defense lawyers believe Jones can impose a new, reduced sentence before that and have it take effect later. Aguilera-Mederos testified that he was hauling lumber when the brakes on his semitrailer failed as he was descending a steep grade of Interstate 70 in the Rocky Mountain foothills on April 25, 2019. His truck plowed into vehicles that had slowed because of another wreck, setting off a chain-reaction wreck and a fireball that consumed vehicles and melted parts of the highway. He wept as he apologized to the victims’ families at his Dec. 13 sentencing. “When I look at my charges, we are talking about a murderer, which is not me,” he said. “I have never thought about hurting anybody in my entire life. Prosecutors argued he should have used a runaway ramp designed for such situations. Aguilera-Mederos, for his part, said he was struggling to avoid traffic and trying to shift to slow down. The crash killed 24-year-old Miguel Angel Lamas Arellano, 67-year-old William Bailey, 61-year-old Doyle Harrison and 69-year-old Stanley Politano. Relatives of victims supported at least some prison time at his sentencing hearing. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Thieves make off with tons of butter from Ontario truck yard

TRENTON, Ontario — Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are searching for suspects in a butter heist that saw more than $200,000 worth of the creamy dairy product stolen from two semi trailers. According to the OPP, authorities were called to a trucking facility in Trenton, Ontario, at around 9:45 a.m. on Dec. 26. “Investigation determined that at approximately 11 p.m., on Dec. 25, 2021, four suspects broke into the facility after being dropped off near the location by someone driving a black SUV,” an OPP news release stated. “After entering the compound, two transport trucks were stolen and utilized to steal two trailers, which were each loaded with approximately 20,000 kilograms of butter, with a combined retail value of about $200,000.” Police shared a photo of the suspect vehicle — a black SUV — that dropped off the alleged thieves. Both transport trucks and their trailers were found Monday, but the butter had disappeared. One was found on McCulloch Avenue in Etobicoke and the other on Attwell Drive in Toronto.

PA Turnpike toll increase hits Jan. 1

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) is reminding drivers that a toll increase announced earlier this year is set to take effect just after midnight Sunday. In July, the PTC approved a 5% toll increase for all E-ZPass and PA Turnpike Toll By Plate rates for the entire system except the Southern Beltway (PA Turnpike 576) west of Pittsburgh. This is the first time in six years that the annual increase has been less than 6%. “Like its previous increases since 2009, the measure is generally required to meet escalating debt-service costs resulting from the PTC’s required payments to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to fund off-Turnpike transportation needs under the state’s Acts 44 and 89,” according to a PTC news release. “Act 44 of 2007 required the PTC to provide PennDOT with $450 million annually for highways, bridges, and public transit, while Act 89 of 2013 modified those payments and dedicated the full amount to public transit. Under Act 89, the PTC’s annual transit payments to PennDOT will be reduced to $50 million in July 2022, and $450 million will be provided from the state’s General Fund.” The PTC made its final $450 million payment in July 2021, bringing the total amount it transferred to $8 billion since 2007. The $50 million annual payments — which commence next summer and run through July 2057 — will result in nearly $1.8 billion more to be transferred. RATE INCREASE EXAMPLES The most common toll for a passenger vehicle will increase from $1.60 to $1.70 for E-ZPass customers and from $3.90 to $4.10 for Toll By Plate customers. The most common toll for a five-axel tractor trailer will increase from $13 to $13.70 for E-ZPass customers and from $26.60 to $28 for Toll By Plate customers. The passenger-vehicle toll at the westbound Delaware River Bridge will increase from $6.10 to $6.50 for E-ZPass customers and from $8.20 to $8.70 for Toll By Plate customers. E-ZPass drivers will continue to pay the lowest toll rates across the PA Turnpike, with some customers saving nearly 60%. After the 2022 increase is applied, E-ZPass and Toll By Plates rates for both passenger and commercial vehicles will round up to the next dime. To find updated 2022 toll rates, click here.

Man accused in death of Illinois deputy allegedly stole semi, multiple cars during crime spree

CARLYLE, Ill. —  Illinois State Police (ISP) say a Kentucky man suspected in the killing of a Wayne County, Illinois, sheriff’s deputy Wednesday morning hijacked a Dayton Freight semi-truck shortly afterward and told the driver to take him to Missouri. An ISP SWAT team arrested Ray Tate, 40, of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, on Wednesday afternoon at a home in Carlyle, Illinois, where he allegedly committed a home invasion and took the homeowner and a carjacking victim hostage, the ISP said. Police said Tate, after forcing the trucker to take him to a QuickTrip convenience store in St. Peters, Missouri, made his way back to Illinois a short time later in one or more carjacked vehicles. Tate was charged with murder by the Wayne County State’s Attorney and lodged in the Clinton County Jail. The trucker, carjacking victims and the homeowner were not injured, the ISP said. The Wayne County, Illinois, Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that Deputy Sean Riley responded to a motorist assist call on Interstate 64 near Mill Shoals around 5 a.m. Wednesday. A second officer who arrived at the scene found Riley dead. The deputy’s squad car was later found abandoned on I-64. The ISP said they believe Tate hijacked the semi-truck after abandoning the deputy’s car. “On behalf of the Illinois State Police, I extend my heartfelt condolences to Wayne County Deputy Sean Riley’s family, friends, and brothers and sisters at the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office,” ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly said in the statement. Riley’s body was escorted by multiple Illinois law enforcement agencies to the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s office at around 10 a.m., according to 14 News in Evansville. Another escort transported him back to Illinois just after 2:30 p.m.