The Trucker News Staff

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 50-year-old North Carolina truck driver has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, misdemeanor death by vehicle, failure to reduce speed and felony failure to move over for stopped emergency vehicles after his involvement in a Dec. 22 crash that killed a Charlotte police officer. Police said Daniel Leon Morgan was driving along Interstate 85 south in his 2020 Volvo VNL tractor-trailer when he failed to slow down and move to the left away from several police vehicles that were on another call. Before striking the police units, authorities said that Morgan hit another 18-wheeler, and both rigs slammed into the police cruisers, including one belonging to officer Mia Goodwin, 33, a mother of three. Goodwin died at the scene; three other officers were injured. The incident happened at around 3:30 a.m., police reported. Charlotte television station WCTI12 reported that their records check on Morgan showed that he does not hold a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL). And, according to the Charlotte Observer newspaper, court records show Morgan pleaded guilty in 2015 to driving without a CDL in Iredell County, North Carolina. The newspaper reported that he paid a fine but was not given jail time. From that same case, he was cited with a federal safety inspection violation. However, the charge was dismissed under a plea deal. Morgan was then cited in 2008 and 2014 for speeding but in both cases had the charges reduced to improper equipment, court records show. In a statement to the media, Morgan’s attorney, Harold Cogdell Jr., wrote:  “I can’t begin to imagine the devasting (sic) impact that this tragic accident will have on her husband and three young children. There are no words that can express the extent of my sorrow.” The driver of the other truck, a 2016 Freightliner, was transported to a hospital after his interview with detectives for an elevated heart rate, police said. It’s not known if that driver will face charges. Morgan has been released on bond.  

WASHINGTON — The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) has partnered with the North American Fatigue Management Program (NAFMP) to help mitigate crash risks due to drowsy drivers behind the wheel. The NAFMP was developed by medical and sleep scientists from Canada and the United States through a multi-year, four-phase comprehensive process, according to a CVSA news release. “Our goal at CVSA is to prevent crashes involving commercial motor vehicles,” said CVSA President Capt. John Broers with the South Dakota Highway Patrol. “Offering the North American Fatigue Management Program as one of the Alliance’s driver-related educational programs helps us do our part to combat crashes caused by driver fatigue and exhaustion.” FMCSA Deputy Administrator Meera Joshi said that her agency is “excited for this additional opportunity to partner with CVSA to address driver fatigue. FMCSA has supported the NAFMP since its inception and looks forward to CVSA continuing to provide this important program to educate the motor carrier industry on driver fatigue.” The program aims to prevent driver fatigue and eliminate fatigue-related crashes by: Offering easy-to-access online fatigue prevention training and education to commercial motor vehicle drivers, motor carrier executives and managers, freight shippers and receivers, dispatchers, driver managers, driver’s spouses and families, safety managers and trainers, etc.; Encouraging a motor carrier safety culture that proactively considers situations that may contribute to driver fatigue and fights to prevent it; Identifying sleep disorders and treatment options; and Utilizing driver fatigue management technologies. In addition, CVSA plans to enhance, improve and grow the program by: Hosting live and recorded Q&A sessions; Offering a moderated forum where users may ask questions and provide feedback; Offering information sessions at CVSA events and conferences; Hosting program and steering committee meetings to discuss program improvements; Offering webinars on various topics relevant to fatigue management; and Offering Spanish content in addition to English and French. “CVSA has the ideal infrastructure of events and channels of communication to foster the NAFMP,” said NAFMP Steering Committee Chair Roger Clarke. Carriers, owner-operators and drivers can download a step-by-step implementation manual and register in the eLearning platform for the program courses. “This program has the potential to reduce fatigue-related risks, improve driver alertness, health and wellness, increase productivity, and decrease crashes and roadway fatalities,” Broers said. “The online training and educational courses available through this program are free, voluntary, self-paced and available 24/7. We encourage all drivers and motor carriers to utilize these online tools.” Click here for more information.

OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Patrol (WSP) has announced a joint effort with 10 other western states’ law enforcement agencies to provide enhanced patrols over the New Year’s holiday. According to a WSP news release, the Western States Traffic Safety Coalition (WSTSC) “will initiate a special effort this New Year’s Eve to ensure dangerous driver behaviors don’t result in the senseless loss of life and injury due to collisions on our roadways.” The coalition is made up of 11 states that include the Arizona Department of Public Safety, California Highway Patrol, Colorado State Patrol, Idaho State Police, Montana Highway Patrol, Nevada Highway Patrol, Oregon State Police, South Dakota Highway Patrol, Utah Highway Patrol, Washington State Patrol and the Wyoming Highway Patrol. WSP Chief John R. Batiste said that he and his agency “enjoy the opportunity to work with our neighbors of the west to give a unified message to the traveling public – Slow down! Drive sober and pay attention! And know that law enforcement works together and will always do what is necessary to keep dangerous drivers off our roads and keep you safe during the holidays.” This New Year’s Eve emphasis on impaired driving will be the third WSTSC joint initiative in recent years. “We receive constant feedback from Washingtonians that underscores the public’s demand that law enforcement strictly enforce laws that protect our loved ones and the traveling public,” Batiste added. “Impaired driving, speed and distracted driving can turn holidays from a time of celebration to time of sorrow and we are going to do all we can to keep that from happening.” An average of 300 people die in the US each year in impaired driving crashes alone the week between Christmas and New Year’s, according to the WSP. Last year, more than 10,000 people killed nationwide in impaired driving crashes accounting for nearly one-third of the yearly driving fatalities. “These deaths are 100% preventable,” the WSP news release stated. “The tragedy of these deaths is felt year-round, but for many, most strongly during the holidays. Last year between Christmas and New Year’s Day, the WSP made 359 arrests for impaired driving. This shows that people are still making poor choices. Because of those choices, the WSP will be out looking for these impaired drivers, in hopes that all travelers arrive safely.”  

AUSTIN, Texas — In 2020, Interstate 35 through Austin was the most congested road for truckers in all of Texas, costing more than 600,000 hours in lost time and $118 million in economic losses. This is according to a new study from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, which releases an annual congestion report of Texas highways. The study notes that “calendar year 2020 was not a normal year — the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily changed travel in Texas as it did everywhere. Still, many of the most congested road sections remained near the top of the list, even as congestion dropped across the state.” In Fort Worth, I-35, also known as the “North Freeway,” came in second on the list, up from sixth in 2019. Five of the top 10 most congested roadways in Texas were in Houston, including Interstate 69. In total, truckers were delayed 15.3 million hours in traffic backups across Texas, wasting 24.7 million gallons of fuel and costing the industry $797 million in lost time and fuel costs in 2020. The year 2020 is the second year that Austin’s I-35 has been named the top congested spot in Texas.    

SEATTLE — Wild winter storms have wreaked havoc from the Pacific northwest to California and Minnesota over the past several days, dumping mounds of snow, icing over key travel arteries and creating thousands of accidents. And it’s made the life of a trucker that much harder on the road. A major Christmas weekend storm caused whiteout conditions and closed key highways amid blowing snow in mountains of Northern California and Nevada, with forecasters warning that travel in the Sierra Nevada could be difficult for several days. That’s where professional driver Sal Tucker and his big rig were parked at a truck stop trying to wait out the storm. He has a delivery that’s due in Los Angeles this week. “It’s been a nightmare, man,” Tucker said. “Running behind, mad customers. Everyone wants it right now, but it ain’t happening with this weather.” The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for much of the southeastern portion of North Dakota and a winter storm warning for the eastern and central parts of the state through Monday evening. Authorities were still advising people not to travel across much of that state and complained that motorists were getting stuck on secondary roads that were not plowed. Many county offices were closed expect for emergency services. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported snowfall totals ranging from less than 2 inches to almost 3 inches in the Twin Cities. Freezing temperatures and drizzle have glazed the new snow with ice, making for slow going on roads and treacherous footing on sidewalks. Other areas in central and northern Minnesota got more snow. Little Falls reported 5 inches and Grand Marais reported 13 inches.­ The Minnesota State Patrol reported it had responded to 189 crashes on state highways between noon Sunday and 8 a.m. Monday, along with 200 vehicles that slid off roadways and eight jackknifed semis. Authorities near Reno said three people were injured in a 20-car pileup on U.S. Route 395, where drivers described limited visibility on Sunday. Tee Hill, a professional driver from Dallas, said she was caught in the traffic backup associated with that wreck on 395. She said it took hours to get free of the congestion. “Pick one. The weather, crazy drivers, snow, wind, fog. It’s all out here, and it’s bad,” Hill said. “I just want to tell folks to be careful and be respectful out here on the roads. Nothing is worth more than a life. So, I will be late. That is better than someone digging my grave.” Further west, a 70-mile stretch of Interstate 80 was shut until at least Monday from Colfax, California, through the Lake Tahoe region to the Nevada state line, costing millions as semi trucks full of goods are stuck on both sides of the closure awaiting clearer weather. The economic impact of the lengthy closure was felt Monday morning at Nevcal Trucking in Sparks, where dozens of empty semi trucks were parked. When I-80 shuts down, it creates havoc. “If the trucks are not running, the drivers aren’t making money, the company’s not making money” Nevcal Safety Director Matthew Andersen told mynews4.com. Emergency warming shelters were open throughout western Washington and Oregon as temperatures plunged into the teens and forecasters said an arctic blast would last for several days. Sunday’s snow showers blew into the Pacific Northwest from the Gulf of Alaska, dumping up to 6 inches across the Seattle area. More than a foot was reported near Port Angeles across the Puget Sound on the Olympic Peninsula. Portland, Oregon, also received snowfall. Icy roads will make the commute challenging in Seattle, Portland and elsewhere. Forecasters said more snow was likely for the Portland metro area, with up to 3 inches possible by Tuesday morning. But officials were especially worried about the extreme cold. Temperatures in western Washington and Oregon aren’t forecast to rise above freezing until at least Thursday, and possibly not until the weekend. Several days of below freezing temperature is rare for the region, which typically has mild, rainy winters. “It’s just, you know, they’re talking right now like it’s going to be, you know, four or five days before we get above freezing again. So, you know, this is not a short event,” said Keith Hughes, of West Seattle American Legion Hall Post 160, where a warming center was set up up to a dozen people. Hughes said capacity was limited by a lack of volunteers. “Volunteers, this is a problem for myself as well as everyone else in town, it’s really hard to get with COVID going on,” he said. Multiple daily cold records were broken. The National Weather Service said Seattle’s low Sunday was 20 degrees F, breaking a mark set in 1948. Bellingham was 9 degrees F, three degrees colder than the previous record set in 1971. In Portland in the early part of the week, overnight temperatures will get down to the low teens. State officials in Oregon have declared an emergency. In Multnomah County — home to Portland — six severe weather shelters are open with plans to open additional sites, including at the Oregon Convention Center. “We expect many more people to need a warm place to sleep as temperatures drop and more snow is forecast,” said Julie Sullivan-Springhetti, the county communications director. On Sunday night officials said the shelters were at 63% capacity with 248 people — most of whom are experiencing homelessness. Seattle city leaders also opened at least six severe weather shelters that will remain open through the new year, city officials said Monday. Nearly 200 people stayed at the shelters overnight on Sunday, officials said, and they were expecting the numbers to grow. Kaety West took refuge at the center in West Seattle, leaving her tent just a few blocks from it. “I’m not even willing to stay in it right now. It’s just so difficult,” she said. Meanwhile, a winter storm made life in North Dakota and Minnesota tough Monday morning. The Bismarck Tribune reported the storm dumped 6 inches of snow on Bismarck on Sunday. Authorities closed Interstate 94 between Bismarck and Fargo and Interstate 29 from Grand Forks to the South Dakota border. The entire interstate system in the state had reopened by 4 p.m. Forecasts call for frigid temperatures after the storm moves through, with Friday highs in Bismarck expected to top out at minus 10. Highs in the Twin Cities are expected to range from 10 degrees to minus 10 the rest of the week. Winter storms also blasted freezing air and blinding snow across northern Nevada on Monday, affecting travel and business, with Sierra Nevada highway passes closed, airport flights delayed and canceled and state offices shut down. Washoe County Emergency Management raised the avalanche danger to high for areas north of Lake Tahoe. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak issued an order late Sunday telling nonessential state workers other than public safety and corrections personnel to remain home Monday. Tire chains or four-wheel drive were required for vehicles on California and Nevada state highways and on U.S. 6 and U.S. 50. U.S. 395 was closed in Washoe Valley after at least two wrecks sent at least six people to hospitals, the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District said. Weather and travel advisories were in place on most roads across northern Nevada, with the National Weather Service in Elko warning of difficult driving due to wind gusts greater than 40 mph and the possibility of blowing and drifting snow. The University of Nevada, Reno and Truckee Meadows Community College canceled on campus in-person operations and classes. The National Weather Service in Reno extended a weather advisory in Nevada to 7 p.m. Monday. Frigid cold was expected to remain for most of the week, with high temperatures in the Reno area in the 20s and lows in the teens. Low temperatures in northeast Nevada were expected to be in the single digits. In California, the Department of Transportation closed many other roads while warning of slippery conditions for motorists. “Expect major travel delays on all roads,” the National Weather Service office in Reno, Nevada, said Sunday on Twitter. “Today is the type of day to just stay home if you can. More snow is on the way too!” The weather service issued a winter storm warning for greater Lake Tahoe until 1 a.m. Tuesday because of possible “widespread whiteout conditions” and wind gusts that could top 45 mph. Turbulent weather stretched from San Diego to Seattle. More than a foot of snow was reported near Port Angeles on Washington state’s Puget Sound. Portland, Oregon received a dusting, but the city was expected to get another 2.5 inches by Monday morning, according to the weather service. In California, rockslides caused by heavy rain closed more than 40 miles of coastal Highway 1 in the Big Sur region south of the San Francisco Bay Area. There was no estimate for the reopening of the scenic stretch that is frequently shut after wet weather. The latest in a series of blustery storms hit Southern California with heavy rain and wind that flooded streets and knocked down power lines late Saturday. In the San Bernardino Mountains east of Los Angeles, crews were repairing a section of State Route 18 that washed down a hillside after heavy rain late Thursday. The closure of the major route into the Big Bear ski resort area could last for weeks, officials said. Back in Minnesota, professional driver “Little T” Jackson said he was going toward the Twin Cities when roads started getting icy. He said he feels blessed that he wasn’t a part of one of the many wrecks reported there. “Just slow down,” Jackson said. “I saw many of my fellow trucking brothers and sisters either slid off the road or involved in wrecks. There isn’t much you can do when it gets this bad. Get off the road if you can when it gets this bad.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.  

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and the state’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) are partnering to better enforce laws on commercial motor vehicles (CMV). The agreement is set to begin Jan. 8 for two years initially; after that, it will be subject to annual renewal. According to an ADOT news release, the partnership will “streamline and enhance CMV enforcement at Arizona’s ports-of-entry located at interstate and international borders.” Under the partnership, 89 sworn ADOT enforcement officers and 49 non-sworn personnel will be assigned to the DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Task Force on a full-time basis. “This will enhance officer safety as well as increase efficiency and operational consistency for both agencies,” the news release stated. “The sworn ADOT personnel are uniformed officers certified by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board. They provide commercial vehicle safety compliance, size and weight enforcement, oversize and overweight permitting and other related enforcement services at ADOT ports-of-entry located near the state lines of California, New Mexico, Utah and the international border with Mexico.” ADOT Director John Halikowski said of the partnership: “ADOT and DPS have a longstanding and beneficial partnership that is dedicated to keeping our highways and freeways operating safely.” “Streamlining ADOT’s Enforcement Services Bureau with a single management structure is a better use of personnel, uses financial resources more wisely and strengthens public safety for everyone who travels Arizona’s roads.” Col. Heston Silbert, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, said, “This will enhance border security at our ports of entry and provide consistent commercial vehicle enforcement to enhance the movement of intra and interstate commerce.”  

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will award $1.39 billion in Emergency Relief (ER) funds to help 42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to make repairs to roads and bridges damaged by a variety of storms, floods, wildfires and other events. “Emergency relief funding is critical to restoring vital transportation links damaged by severe weather and other unexpected events that are heavily relied upon by communities for daily travel,” said Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack. Deputy Administrator Pollack added that the new programs in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — including the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) program — “will advance the use of materials and structural techniques to ensure highways are better prepared to withstand weather events and natural disasters.” The emergency relief program “complements Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs and provisions through its encouragement that agencies identify and implement measures to make the restored infrastructure more resilient and better able to withstand damage from future events,” according to a USDOT news release. “Further, FHWA is updating its ER Manual for 2022 to spotlight the program’s impact on improvements to system resilience and the equity of infrastructure spending.” FHWA’s ER Program provides funding reimbursement to states, territories, federal land management agencies and tribal governments for the reconstruction, restoration and repair of federal-aid and federally-owned transportation facilities that have suffered damage from natural disasters or catastrophic failure from external causes. The news release notes that “the allocation will help facilitate recovery from nearly 200 different emergency events, including Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico; storms and flooding in Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, California, Alabama and Kentucky; and many others. The funds will help pay for the reconstruction or replacement of damaged highways and bridges along with the arrangement of detours and replacement of damaged safety devices.”

OSSEO, Wis. — Authorities in western Wisconsin are trying to sort out multiple crashes along an icy Interstate 94. WITI-TV reported more than 100 vehicles were involved in a pile-up Thursday morning in Jackson County. WEAU-TV reported that authorities were dealing with multiple crashes, including a semi-trailer on fire, and that the interstate was impassable between Osseo and Northfield. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol didn’t immediately return messages from The Associated Press seeking details. Jackson County Emergency Management Director Kristina Page said in a brief telephone interview that she didn’t have any information but that she expects the State Patrol to issue a news release soon. The State Patrol’s Eau Claire post tweeted early Thursday morning that freezing rain had left roads icy and hazardous.