The Trucker News Staff

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As the automotive and trucking industries begin to shift toward alternative fuels, DriveOhio is touting a plan that they say will help make the transition smoother for all involved. Building on the Ohio electric vehicle (EV) charging strategy released last year, the report details how to move the freight and logistics industries into the use of EVs. “Ohio is the crossroads of America; we rank second in intermodal logistics facilities and sixth in volume of freight moving in and out of our state,” said Executive Director of DriveOhio Howard Wood. “As the auto industry continues to make major investments in electric vehicles and the infrastructure that powers them, we must be ready to pivot and adapt to a changing domestic and global economy. Working with the freight and logistics industry, this study adds important data to the electrification conversation as this ecosystem continues to mature in Ohio and across the nation.” In the report, vehicles were grouped into categories – terminal and off-road, last-mile delivery, local freight and drayage, and regional and long-haul – and feedback was collected from those in the industry who have already begun to use EVs as part of their fleets. Collectively, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Bimbo Bakeries, PITT Ohio, Firefly Transportation Services (now Lazer Spot Inc.), and R&L Carriers cite increased safety, reduced carbon emissions, driver preference, and a competitive edge and job creation as reasons to electrify their fleet operations, according to DriveOhio. “Ohio is focused on maintaining its position as a manufacturing leader,” said Jack Marchbanks, Ohio Department of Transportation director. “The viability, pace, and ultimate success of transitioning the freight sector to electric vehicles will require collaboration across all levels of government and private industry. Ohio has an opportunity to help lead the shift to a 21st century transportation economy.” Looking to the future, DriveOhio’s Freight Electrification Study suggests that government and industry leaders work together to ensure that there is reliable charging infrastructure, timely utility coordination and standard electricity prices. “The opportunities in Ohio for employment as an electrician are unparalleled,” said Dan Spurgeon, vice president for Service and Special Projects at The Superior Group, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. “EV infrastructure, beneficial electrification, data warehousing, and utility-scale solar projects currently being constructed represent a massive quantity of labor hours.”

LaGrange County, Ind. — A 67-year-old Ohio trucker died after his rig rear-ended the trailer of another 18-wheeler on Sept. 13 on the Interstate 80 toll road near the 125.7 mile marker in LaGrange County, according to an Indiana State Police (ISP) report. The accident happened at around 5:10 p.m., the report noted. When they arrived on scene, troopers found Herbert Meade’s 2020 Mack — which had crashed into the trailer of a 2018 Kenworth driven by Michael D. Ashley, 57, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio — badly damaged. The impact trapped him inside his cab, and he suffered from “serious, traumatic injuries,” according to the ISP report. “By the time medical crews were able to get to Meade to provided medical assistance, he had succumbed to his injuries,” the report said. “He was pronounced dead at the scene by the LaGrange County coroner.” ISP said that Meade was traveling eastbound in the left lane of I-80 following behind Ashley when the accident occurred. “At the time, the eastbound lanes of I-80 were restricted down to the left lane due to road construction,” according to the report. “Traffic ahead had slowed or stopped due to that construction. Ashley began slowing for the stopped traffic; however, Meade’s truck was following too closely and failed to get stopped, subsequently crashing into the rear of the Kenworth’s semi-trailer. Meade’s truck sustained heavy damage to the driver’s side of the cab area, causing his entrapment and fatal injuries.” Ashley was able to exit his truck uninjured. This crash remains under investigation.  

TAMPA, Fla. — Transflo and Geotab is sponsoring Shawn Kitchen in this year’s MS 5000 fundraiser. Kitchen, an endurance motorcyclist and former truck driver, will attempt to ride more than 10,000 miles across the continental U.S. in a 16-day period this month. Proceeds from MS 5000 benefit MS Views and News, a nonprofit and 501(c)(3) dedicated to providing information and resources to those who’ve been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), a degenerative neurological disorder affecting more than 1 million people in the U.S. The MS 5000 fundraiser is organized each year by Paul Pelland, an endurance motorcyclist who was diagnosed with MS in 2003. Since then, he has been trying to ride 1 million miles on his motorcycle to raise awareness and funds for MS support. As part of the MS 5000, riders individually compete for and earn points by driving long distances on their bikes, and raising donations, between Sept. 1 and Oct. 20. Kitchen, with his 2016 Honda Goldwing, won the competition last year, earning the most points and raising the most money. Transflo’s title sponsorship, in conjunction with Geotab, of Kitchen’s 2021 ride will fund expenses such as fuel and lodging for Kitchen’s 16-day trip. Individual donations raised by Kitchen will be given directly to MS 5000. “I owe a huge amount of thanks to Transflo and Geotab,” Kitchen said. “Without their involvement, I wouldn’t even be able to attempt this endurance ride and the fundraising opportunity it presents for MS 5000 and MS Views and News. The older I get, the more I’ve come to realize that our lives are best lived in service of other people. Riding my motorcycle reached a new level of enjoyment when I started doing it to benefit others.” Meeting Paul Pelland gave Kitchen a first-hand look at how MS affects the human body. “I saw the things that people have to give up in their lives because MS strips them of their physical ability to do it,” Kitchen noted. “But I’ve watched Paul ride, and I’ve seen how it’s been a form of therapy for him. He’s trying to do something big for the cause of MS, and he inspired me to do something big, too, and to become an advocate for him.” Kitchen drove a truck professionally for 16 years, operating across various segments — long-haul and regional dry van, tanker, flatbed, and local pickup and delivery. He then transitioned to various other roles, including driver trainer, recruiter and safety manager, at multiple fleets. He’s now director of operations True Load Tim, a startup that aims to document and reduce time drivers spend detained at shipper and receiver facilities. “Transflo is proud to sponsor Shawn’s attempt to visit the four corners of the United States as part of his fundraising ride for MS,” said Don Mitchell, director of marketing for Transflo. “MS Views and News provides direct service and support for those who have been diagnosed with MS, with a special emphasis on those in rural parts of the country. We wish Shawn a safe, fun, and successful journey.” In addition, in honor of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, Sept. 12-18, Transflo is offering a free version of Transflo Mobile+ to drivers across North America, Mitchell said. To follow Kitchen’s ride live, click here. Donations to MS 5000 can be made here.

GLOBE, Ariz. — Beginning at 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, and continuing through noon Friday, Sept. 17, U.S. 60 between Superior and Miami, Arizona, will be closed to traffic. During the five-day closure, drivers should expect an extra hour of travel and a 10% grade as traffic is detoured onto State Routes 77 and 177 through Winkleman. Eastbound traffic in Superior will be directed onto State Route 177, and westbound traffic will be redirected at the west end of Miami. Drivers who have a destination within the closed segment of U.S. 60 will be allowed to pass the closure points, but no vehicles will be allowed between Top-of-the-World and Pinto Valley Mine Road. The closure, which is subject to change based on weather, is necessary while crews with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) realign the roadway to meet with the new Pinto Creek bridge. While ADOT has worked to minimize the impact of the bridge replacement project, the extended closure is required because of the work involved with shifting the highway roughly 30 feet while also raising it 8 feet to align with the new structure. Crews will work 24 hours a day during the highway closure. Looking forward, drivers should expect a four-hour closure sometime in October, when crews take down the old bridge. Through the rest of the year, occasional lane restrictions will be required as crews haul away remnants of the old bridge and complete other roadway improvements. For more information about the project, click here.

BLACKFOOT, Idaho — Chairs were scattered along the side of U.S. 91 north of Blackfoot, Idaho, Thursday, Sept. 9, when a box truck hauling a load of chairs ran off the road, causing the truck to overturn. Idaho State Troopers responding to the single-vehicle accident at about 9:52 a.m. were told the chairs were intended for delivery to the Eastern Idaho Fair. The driver of the truck, a 19-year-old man from Idaho Falls was the only occupant. He suffered what appeared to be minor injuries and was treated at the scene. The incident remains under investigation by the Idaho State Police.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has declared a Massachusetts-licensed commercial driver to be an imminent hazard to public safety and has ordered him not to operate any commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in interstate commerce, according to an FMCSA news release. William Edward Dearth, Jr. was served the federal order on Sept. 3. This marks the fifth time this year that the FMCSA has issued such an order. The news release said that on Aug. 25, 2021, Dearth, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) holder, was operating a tractor-trailer on Vermont Route 108 in Lamoille County when his vehicle left the roadway and collided into a telephone pole. Abandoning his vehicle, Dearth left the scene of the crash on foot but was later found by a Vermont State Police K-9 unit and taken into custody. A preliminary breathalyzer test conducted on Dearth showed a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.217.  Approximately one hour later, two additional breathalyzer tests, taken within five minutes of each other, resulted in a BAC of 0.20, and 0.197, respectively. Possessing an alcohol concentration of greater than 0.04 while operating a commercial vehicle weighing more than 26,001 pounds and requiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is a violation of federal safety regulations. During the subsequent inspection of Dearth’s truck, Vermont State Police officers discovered an open can of beer in the driver’s cup holder, multiple empty beer cans in the trash, and nearly a case of unopened beer elsewhere in the cab. Dearth has been charged by Vermont State law enforcement with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, and negligent operation. FMCSA’s imminent hazard out-of-service order states that Dearth’s ” … blatant disregard for the safety of the motoring public … substantially increases the likelihood of serious injury or death to you and motoring public if not discontinued immediately.” If he doesn’t comply with the federal order, he could be fined up to $1,951 for each violation. Knowing and/or willful violations may result in criminal penalties, according to the FMCSA news release. Additionally, Dearth can’t operate a commercial motor vehicle until he successfully completes a substance abuse program.  

HENRY COUNTY, Ind. – An Illinois trucker driver was killed after his rig struck the rear end of another tractor-trailer on Sept. 3 on Interstate 70 near the 124 mile-marker, according to an Indiana State Police (ISP) report. The accident occurred in Henry County, Indiana, the report said. A preliminary investigation showed that Radenko Dzamic, 68, of Lyons, Illinois, was driving a 2018 Freightliner semi tractor-trailer westbound when he failed to recognize that traffic ahead of him had slowed down, state police said. Dzamic, who was traveling in the right lane, struck the rear of a 2018 Freightliner semi tractor-trailer driven by Ghoitom Hagos, 47, of Columbus, Ohio. That impact caused Hagos’ semi to strike the rear of a 2022 Peterbilt tractor-trailer driven by Charles Williams, 64, of Indianapolis, Indiana. Master Trooper Bischoff and a deputy from the Henry County Sheriff’s Department responded and found Dzamic unresponsive and entrapped in his vehicle, the report said. A small fire started underneath the semi, but officers were able to extinguish the flames before it spread to the cabin. Due to the vehicle damage, officers were unable to remove Dzamic from the vehicle. He was later pronounced dead by the Henry County coroner, according to the state police report. The ISP Pendleton Reconstruction Team assisted with the investigation. Both westbound lanes of I-70 were shut down for more than four hours for vehicle removal and scene processing. All lanes have now been re-opened. Hagos and Williams were both transported to a local hospital for a blood draw, which is required under Indiana law from all drivers involved in a serious bodily injury or fatal crash. Neither alcohol nor drugs are suspected of being a contributing factor at this time.