PETERBOROUGH, ONTARIO — A 45-year-old truck driver from Canada is facing multiple charges after driving his tractor-trailer into a residential front yard and getting it stuck, prompting a police inspection that uncovered several serious brake defects.
Peterborough Police Service responded at approximately 12:25 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026, to the area of North Monaghan Parkway and Whittington Drive after a homeowner reported a tractor-trailer had driven into their front yard and become stuck. Once the truck was removed from the property, officers from the Traffic Services Unit conducted a full inspection of the truck and trailer combination.
The inspection revealed multiple defects in the braking system. Officers charged the driver with the following offenses under the Highway Traffic Act:
• Careless Driving
• Disobeying Signs
• Improper Braking System — Commercial Motor Vehicle
• Push Rod Stroke Exceeds Prescribed Limit — Commercial Motor Vehicle
• Driving a Commercial Motor Vehicle With a Major Defect
• Failure to Enter Defect in Daily Inspection Report
• Operating an Unsafe Vehicle — Commercial Motor Vehicle
Officers seized the license plates from the vehicle, placing it out of service.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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PRESIDIO COUNTY, TEXAS — The Presidio County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety recovered eight stolen vehicles that had been concealed inside tractor-trailers at a Transmigrante lot on US 67 north of Presidio, where they were staged to be imported into Mexico through Ojinaga.
According to an April 15 statement, officers discovered the stolen vehicles after intercepting the tractor-trailers before they crossed the border. The vehicles had altered vehicle identification numbers and fraudulent identifiers. Multiple people were arrested in connection with the stolen cars. The tractor-trailers were seized as they were used in the commission of a crime — Possession of Stolen Vehicle PC 31.03.
The Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority weighed in on the significance of the bust. “This case highlights how organized auto theft operations continue to exploit cross-border movement — but also how coordinated law enforcement efforts are disrupting those networks every day. Auto theft isn’t just about a stolen car — it fuels larger criminal enterprises. Cases like this show the importance of vigilance, investigation, and strong partnerships across agencies,” the authority said.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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MANATEE COUNTY, FLORIDA — An 18-year-old Atlanta Braves minor league catcher has been arrested in connection with the fatal hit-and-run crash on Interstate 75 in Manatee County Monday morning that killed a semi-truck driver and father of four. The Atlanta Braves turned the player in to authorities after spotting his Mustang in their compound.
Florida Highway Patrol arrested Jonathan Matos Morales, 18, of Cocoa, and impounded his 2022 Ford Mustang. He faces charges of vehicular homicide and leaving a crash scene involving death. He has been booked into the Manatee County Jail.
How the Braves Helped Break the Case
After FHP released dashcam video and images of the suspect vehicle, the Atlanta Braves organization recognized the Mustang in their compound and turned Matos Morales in to authorities. The team released a statement: “We are aware that a player who was formerly in our minor league system is under investigation related to a fatal accident that occurred yesterday in Manatee County. Our organization is cooperating fully with authorities and will not have any further comment at this time. Our condolences go to the loved ones of all who were involved.”
What Happened
The crash occurred at approximately 6:28 a.m. on Monday, April 16, on southbound I-75 near State Road 64. According to FHP, Matos Morales was driving his dark-colored Ford Mustang southbound in the left lane when he entered the center lane and sideswiped a Chevy Trailblazer driven by a 63-year-old man from Palmetto. “This Mustang was weaving in and out of traffic and caused a crash that sideswiped the SUV,” said Trooper Ken Watson.
The impact sent the Trailblazer into the right lane and into the path of a semi-tractor-trailer driven by Stavan Albert Facey, 34, of New Smyrna Beach. The tractor-trailer was redirected across all southbound lanes, overturned onto its right side, and came to rest partially in the grass median spanning all three southbound lanes. Facey was pronounced dead at the scene. The Trailblazer driver sustained minor injuries.
Florida Highway Patrol
Matos Morales briefly stopped after the crash before fleeing southbound on I-75. “The cause of this crash was the dark-colored Mustang who was weaving in and out of traffic. He stopped for a moment and then immediately fled the scene in a southern direction,” Watson said.
The Victim
Stavan Albert Facey was a hard worker and father of four children, according to his family. All southbound lanes of I-75 reopened around 12:30 p.m. Monday after a six-hour closure.
Watson said the crash was entirely preventable. “We want to reiterate the importance of leaving early, driving safely and not abruptly changing lanes,” he said.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Video
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MANATEE COUNTY, FLORIDA — Florida Highway Patrol has released dashcam video of the fatal hit-and-run crash on Interstate 75 in Manatee County that killed a semi-truck driver Monday morning, as troopers intensify their search for the driver of a black Ford Mustang who fled the scene after triggering a chain reaction crash that flipped a tractor-trailer across all lanes of the highway.
The video shows the Mustang making multiple unsignaled lane changes before abruptly cutting into the center lane occupied by a Chevy Trailblazer. The front right of the Mustang struck the front left of the Chevy, sending it into the rightmost lane where it struck the cab of the tractor-trailer on the driver’s side door. The tractor-trailer veered left across all interstate lanes and flipped partially upside down in front of the Mustang. The Mustang briefly stopped before the driver steered around the overturned truck through the grass alongside the interstate and fled southbound on I-75.
FHP
The semi-truck driver, a 34-year-old man from New Smyrna, was killed in the crash. The driver of the Chevy Trailblazer, a 63-year-old man from Palmetto, sustained minor injuries. The crash occurred at approximately 6:28 a.m. near Exit 220 on I-75 South close to State Road 64. All lanes of I-75 southbound reopened around 12:30 p.m. after a six-hour closure.
FHP
FHP has also released images of the suspect vehicle — a black Ford Mustang with rear louvers and possibly a stick camera on the rear. The driver is described as a male with a stocky build who was wearing a gray hoodie at the time of the crash.
Troopers are asking anyone with information or video of the incident to contact FHP by dialing *347 or submit an anonymous tip to Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS or ManateeCrimeStoppers.com.
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CHESAPEAKE, VIRGINIA — A Chesapeake police officer sustained minor injuries Monday afternoon after a tractor-trailer struck his marked patrol vehicle on Route 58 eastbound while he was attempting to locate a suspect who had fled from officers earlier in the day.
The crash occurred at approximately 12:44 p.m. when the officer was pulling into traffic and was struck by the tractor-trailer. Police clarified that the officer was not actively engaged in a pursuit at the time of the crash — he was attempting to catch up to the suspect to conduct a traffic stop.
The officer was transported to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The incident remains under investigation.
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HARTFORD, VERMONT — Vermont DMV enforcement officers conducted a commercial vehicle inspection detail in Hartford, screening more than 190 trucks and placing 15 vehicles and drivers out of service for immediate safety risks.
The detail produced the following results:
• 190+ Trucks Screened
• 65 Vehicle and Driver Violations Identified
• 15 Vehicles and Drivers Placed Out of Service
• 8 Portable Weigh Checks Conducted
• Multiple Overweight Violations Enforced
Officials emphasized that the goal of the operation was safety, not citations. “These enforcement efforts are not about citations, they are about keeping unsafe vehicles off the road and ensuring drivers are operating within state and federal safety regulations,” Vermont DMV said. “Out-of-service violations are issued when a vehicle or driver poses an immediate safety risk and cannot continue operating until the issue is corrected.”
The agency thanked compliant drivers for their cooperation. “We appreciate the cooperation from drivers who are doing things right and trying their best to stay compliant. Operations like this help reduce crashes, protect infrastructure, and keep all road users safe.”
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PHARR, TEXAS — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized nearly 100 pounds of suspected cocaine worth more than $1.1 million after discovering 32 packages concealed within the floor of a commercial tractor-trailer that was declared empty at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility on April 15.
The trailer was crossing into the United States from Reynosa, Mexico, when CBP officers flagged it for secondary inspection using nonintrusive inspection equipment and a canine team. A physical inspection of the trailer floor revealed 32 packages of suspected cocaine with a combined weight of more than 83 pounds. The estimated street value of the seized narcotics is $1,111,503.
Officers seized the narcotics, tractor, and trailer. Homeland Security Investigations special agents initiated a criminal investigation into the seizure.
Acting CBP Deputy Commissioner Ron Vitiello said an “effective combination of technological tools and inspections experience” ensured “these narcotics will not enter the U.S. and wreak any further havoc on our communities.”
CBP reported that nationwide in March, agents seized more than 65,000 pounds of drugs, including 613 pounds of fentanyl.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA — The California Highway Patrol is highlighting the dangers of distracted driving after a semi-truck driver nearly struck a CHP Bakersfield motor officer who was working speed enforcement.
CHP did not release details on what specifically distracted the semi driver but used the incident as a reminder that reading a text, adjusting a playlist, or taking eyes off the road for even a few seconds can have serious consequences.
“Thankfully our officers remain vigilant at all times for dangerous driving,” CHP Bakersfield said. “At highway speeds, just 5 seconds of distraction is like driving the length of a football field blind.”
CHP reminded drivers to stay focused, put the phone away, and keep both hands on the wheel.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1248870013939955
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OHIO — The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is pursuing collections against 315 trucking companies from 26 states that collectively owe nearly $5.2 million in unpaid tolls, officials announced April 20, 2026, as the agency ramps up enforcement efforts in partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Each of the 315 companies owes at least $5,000 in unpaid Ohio Turnpike tolls accumulated since April 2024. Of the 315 companies, 42 have commercial vehicles registered in Ohio. The largest single balance belongs to Pennsylvania-based NYC Trucking, Inc., which owes $155,826.50.
“The Ohio Turnpike is one of the nation’s major freight corridors and the vast majority of commercial trucking companies do the right thing and pay their tolls. But there is a growing number of companies that are breaking the law by avoiding paying their tolls,” said Executive Director Ferzan M. Ahmed. “These companies are making it more difficult to do so. They have had every opportunity to pay their tolls but have ignored three mailed invoices and have been sent to collections.”
Ahmed said companies are “either simply choosing not to pay, or using deliberate toll evasion tactics, or both.”
How the Turnpike Is Collecting
The Ohio Turnpike Commission uses several methods to recover unpaid tolls, including capturing license plate images, mailing invoices, sending accounts to collections, placing vehicle registration holds to prevent license plate renewals, and taking legal action when necessary.
OSHP Partnership
Last week, the Ohio Turnpike Commission announced a partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol to crack down on commercial truck drivers who cover, obscure, or remove license plates to avoid paying tolls. So far this year, nearly 100 commercial truck drivers have been charged with failure to display a license plate and/or toll evasion. Trucks have been impounded as part of ongoing toll evasion investigations.
Under Ohio Administrative Code 5537-4-02, effective September 1, 2023, it is illegal to purposefully defraud the commission, alter toll collection equipment, or knowingly avoid toll payments. Toll evaders may face criminal prosecution and civil litigation by the commission.
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SELIGMAN, ARIZONA — Power has been restored to nearly 800 Arizona Public Service customers in Seligman after a semi-truck crash on Interstate 40 knocked out electricity to the entire community for nearly two days, forcing every business in town to close, cutting off water service, and prompting a community-wide response to help residents through the outage.
The Crash
The incident began at approximately 1-2 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, when a semi-truck went off the road near Crookton Road on I-40 and struck a power pole, ripping down cables and scattering power lines across the freeway in both directions. A second semi-truck then collided with the first vehicle, compounding the damage. Body camera footage from the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office showed someone being handcuffed at the scene. The first semi-truck burst into flames. The driver was hospitalized but is expected to survive. Several cars were trapped by the downed power lines. I-40 closed in both directions and did not fully reopen until just after 3 p.m. Thursday. Intermittent closures in both directions continued Friday while APS crews replaced power lines.
Seligman Fire District engineer Tyler Cossey described the scene. “Power lines were down on the semi, started looking around, more power lines were down in the middle of the highway, and it turned into a bigger incident than what we thought it was,” Cossey said.
Investigators are still looking into what caused the first truck to leave the roadway.
Two Days Without Power
The crash knocked out power to nearly 800 APS customers across an area stretching from Pica Camp to Anvil Rock roads and from Younger Trail to Crookton Road — encompassing the entire town of Seligman, the birthplace of historic Route 66.
The damage to the electrical infrastructure was extensive. “Essentially, our crews will have to rebuild that portion of the electric grid,” an APS spokesperson said. Initial efforts focused on setting up a construction site, stabilizing multiple damaged structures, safely clearing power lines from vehicles, removing debris, and ordering and delivering new equipment.
APS transmission maintenance crew supervisor Isaac Larsen described the challenging conditions. “It’s a kind of rocky mess out here so hole digging takes a little bit of time, but at this time they’ve got the structures rebuilt. Bear with us, we’re working as fast as we safely can,” Larsen said.
Every business in town closed during the outage, including four gas stations. “There’s no place to go to the bathroom, there’s no place to get fuel. There’s dozens of people just sitting in parking lots waiting to go get fuel at some point so they can continue on,” said business owner Bill Pope on Thursday. Water service was also disrupted because the water pumps run on electricity. Water was restored around 4 p.m. Thursday. Cell phone service was also knocked out overnight.
APS told impacted residential customers they could be reimbursed for the purchase of up to 40 pounds of bagged ice or 20 pounds of dry ice to help preserve food.
Community Steps Up
With residents facing two days without power, water, or cell service, the Seligman community rallied. The Seligman Fire District set up a Red Cross shelter at the firehouse with food, water, supplies, and overnight accommodations. Red Cross volunteers staffed the location. “Luckily, we have a lot of volunteers in Yavapai County who are actually anxious to come out and help, and we actually ended up with more people than we needed right away,” said Tom Altavilla, Red Cross volunteer.
Helen Knackstedt, kitchen manager for American Legion Post 123, spent Friday cooking breakfast and lunch for residents without power. “We were also without cell phone service last night. We were without water. Thank God I have my cast iron to be able to run this kitchen stove, but we’re gonna have lots of food all day long and if we have to do it again tomorrow, we’ll do it again tomorrow,” Knackstedt said.
Local restaurants including Roadkill Café and Delgadillo’s Snow Cap provided lunch and dinner. Yavapai County Emergency Management coordinated water and ice deliveries throughout the outage.
“It’s amazing to see everyone come back together and help people in need, especially in this time of literal darkness,” Cossey said.
Power Restored
Power was fully restored Saturday. APS expressed gratitude for the community’s patience. “Happy to share that power has been restored in Seligman following Thursday morning’s semi-truck crash along I-40, which knocked out power to nearly 800 customers. APS is grateful to stand alongside the communities we serve and thanks the resilient people of Seligman for their patience and support as crews worked around the clock over the past two days to safely restore service,” an APS spokesperson said.
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