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22 Cattle Killed, 19 Survivors Moved to Corral After Nebraska Coal Train Strikes Cattle Trailer at Unguarded Crossing — Driver Did Not See Train Before Collision

By
Kristina
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CUSTER COUNTY, NEBRASKA — A Burlington Northern coal train struck a semi-truck pulling a cattle trailer at a railroad crossing in Custer County Tuesday morning, killing 22 of the 41 cattle on board.

The Custer County Sheriff’s Office said the collision occurred at approximately 11:42 a.m. at a crossing with no crossing guards. The train was traveling westbound at approximately 40 miles per hour when it struck the trailer. Deputies said the semi was moving through the crossing and the driver did not see that the train had already crossed the tracks before the collision.

No people were injured. Twenty-two cattle were killed or found dead at the scene. The remaining 19 were moved to a corral in an adjoining pasture. Their condition was unknown as of Wednesday morning.

The Custer County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.

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Vermont’s Smuggler’s Notch Bill Now in Final House Review — Fines Set to Jump From $1,000 to $20,000, Carriers Pay the Fine, But Drivers Still Take the Five-Point CDL Hit

By
Kristina
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MONTPELIER, VERMONT — Vermont is on the verge of dramatically raising the stakes for commercial vehicles that ignore restrictions and enter Smuggler’s Notch on Route 108, with fines jumping from $1,000 to as high as $20,000 and a new structure that attempts to hold carriers financially responsible — while a five-point CDL penalty still lands on the individual driver regardless.

S.326 passed the Vermont Senate in March and is moving through final House review. If signed into law, the new penalties take effect July 1, 2026.

What the Bill Does

The base fine for operating a prohibited vehicle on Route 108 through Smuggler’s Notch rises from $1,000 to $10,000. If the vehicle substantially impedes traffic — which a tractor-trailer blocking a mountain pass routinely does — the fine doubles to $20,000. A second offense within three years doubles it again.

In a notable departure from how most states handle these violations, the bill directs the fine to the employer — the carrier or trucking company — when the driver was operating in the scope of employment. If the driver was on a personal trip, the operator pays. The Vermont Legislature drew a line that most states have not.

The reasoning behind that structure is rooted in how trucks end up in the Notch in the first place. Route 108 through Smuggler’s Notch has no physical way for large vehicles to navigate it — yet GPS navigation apps and dispatch systems continue routing commercial vehicles onto it. The decision is often not made by the driver but by an algorithm confirmed by a dispatcher in another state.

The CDL Problem

However, the bill also adds Smuggler’s Notch violations to Vermont’s point assessment schedule — five points on the individual operator’s driving record, every time, regardless of who pays the fine. For a commercial driver, five points on a CDL is a serious career consequence.

Josh Klein, Deputy Communications Director for the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, told Compass Vermont that OOIDA views both the five-point penalty and the $10,000 fine as significant. But on who ultimately bears the financial cost, Klein was direct: “While the bill language seems well-intended by penalizing the carrier, most fines we’ve seen in other states ultimately are passed along to the driver.” Employment contracts, lease agreements, and carrier policies have a history of redirecting statutory liability back to the person behind the wheel regardless of what state law specifies.

Signs and Physical Barriers

The House Transportation Committee added a provision requiring VTrans to update signage at the Notch entrances to reflect the new penalty amounts. Vermont has tried numerous approaches to the problem over the years — signs in English and French, pictographs, and physical chicanes installed in 2024 that reduced annual stuckages from five to one in their first year.

Todd Sears, who led the Notch management effort for VTrans, described the persistent challenge. “Our signage was very clear, saying that you will get stuck. Do not attempt to drive through the Notch, and don’t trust your GPS — but they would try anyway. I mean, it’s a mystery,” Sears said.

What the Law Still Cannot Reach

S.326 gives Vermont sharper tools than it has ever had — a $10,000 fine, employer liability on paper, five CDL points, and updated signage. What it still cannot reach is the dispatcher who chose the route, the routing platform that recommended it, or the carrier policy that failed to flag the restriction before the truck left the yard. The law is smarter. The gap it cannot close is structural.

Analysis courtesy of Compass Vermont.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.

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Supreme Court Unanimously Allows Man Who Lost Leg When Speeding Semi Hit His Parked Truck to Sue Freight Broker C.H. Robinson for Negligent Hiring — Broker Had Hired Carrier With Three Prior Major Crashes

By
Kristina
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously Thursday that a man who lost part of his leg when a speeding tractor-trailer struck his parked truck on an Illinois highway can proceed with his lawsuit against C.H. Robinson, the country’s largest freight broker — a decision with potentially significant implications for the trucking and logistics industry.

The ruling overturned a decision by a Chicago-based federal appeals court that had dismissed the case in C.H. Robinson’s favor. Writing for the court, Justice Amy Coney Barrett found that the plaintiff’s state law claims fall under a safety regulation exception and can move forward.

The Crash

On the night of December 7, 2017, Shawn Montgomery was parked inside his 2015 Mack truck on the shoulder of westbound Interstate 70 in Cumberland County, Illinois. Driver Yosniel Varela-Mojena, operating a 1995 Freightliner tractor-trailer hauling a commercial shipment of plastic pots arranged by C.H. Robinson, veered off the roadway at a high rate of speed and rear-ended Montgomery’s stationary vehicle. The impact severely crushed both truck cabs, resulting in the amputation of Montgomery’s leg and leaving him with other permanent injuries.

The Legal Argument

Montgomery’s lawsuit argued that C.H. Robinson should share liability for hiring carrier Caribe Transport II LLC despite publicly available red flags. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data showed Caribe Transport had been involved in at least three major crashes in a five-month span before the collision. The driver, Varela-Mojena, had been cited for careless driving in a separate crash just months earlier. Montgomery argued C.H. Robinson failed to conduct basic safety vetting before selecting the carrier.

C.H. Robinson argued that freight brokers rely on the federal government to regulate carriers and that federal law preempts state law claims. The Supreme Court disagreed, finding that Montgomery’s claims fall under an exception for safety regulations.

What the Decision Means

The ruling does not guarantee Montgomery will ultimately prevail — it only allows the case to proceed. However, the decision could open the door to broader litigation against freight brokers across the country. More than two dozen states backed Montgomery’s appeal, arguing the case would bolster safety in an industry that moves billions of tons of goods across billions of miles annually.

The Trump administration and companies including Amazon had argued against the decision, warning it would expose logistics companies to liability under a patchwork of state laws. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, joined by Justice Samuel Alito in a concurrence, wrote that the ruling could increase litigation and insurance costs for freight brokers that would eventually cascade through the economy and result in higher consumer prices — but added that “truck safety is a matter of life and death.”

C.H. Robinson disputes the allegations and has not conceded liability.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.

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Trash Truck Driver Arrested After Garbage Truck Overturns in Georgia, Spilling Trash Load; Flees Hospital Before Deputies Find Him at Restaurant

By
Kristina
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HALL COUNTY, GEORGIA — A trash truck driver was arrested Wednesday after authorities said he overturned a truck loaded with household garbage on Gillsville Highway near Gillsville, was taken to a hospital, and later left the medical facility before deputies found him at a fast food restaurant.

The crash happened around 8:30 a.m. on Gillsville Highway near Suggs Road in eastern Hall County, according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.

Hall County Sheriff’s Office)

Truck Overturned and Spilled Garbage

Investigators identified the driver as Richard George Harvey, 43, of Sugar Hill.

The sheriff’s office said Harvey was driving a 2004 Volvo bobtail semi-truck carrying a load of household garbage northbound on Gillsville Highway when he entered a curve north of Suggs Road and lost control.

Authorities said Harvey was driving too fast for conditions when the crash happened. The truck overturned, dumping trash into the roadway and onto private property.

Earlier reports said Gillsville Highway, also listed as State Route 323, was shut down between Laprad Circle and Holly Springs Road during the morning commute after the big rig carrying garbage overturned.

Driver Located After Leaving Hospital

Harvey was transported from the crash scene to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville for treatment of minor injuries.

While at the hospital, authorities said he fled.

Deputies later located Harvey at a fast food restaurant on South Enota Drive in Gainesville and took him into custody.

Charges and Road Closure

Harvey was charged with failure to maintain lane, driving too fast for conditions, and operating a vehicle with an expired tag. Authorities said he is also facing a warrant out of Gwinnett County.

He was booked into the Hall County Jail, where he remained Wednesday evening without bond.

Gillsville Highway was closed in both directions for several hours following the crash. The roadway partially reopened around 1:45 p.m., and all lanes reopened around 4:40 p.m.

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.

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Texas Investigates Trucking Schools Over CDL Standards as Attorney General Warns CVS About Supplier Practices

By
Kristina
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TEXAS — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has expanded enforcement efforts affecting transportation, logistics, and supply chain operations, with separate actions targeting commercial driver training schools and corporate supplier diversity programs.

The moves come as Texas and federal officials increase scrutiny of commercial driver qualification standards, English-language proficiency enforcement, non-domiciled CDL rules, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices tied to procurement and supply chain contracting.

CVS Warned Over Supplier Diversity Practices

Paxton’s office announced Tuesday that it sent a warning letter to CVS Health regarding the company’s supplier diversity practices. According to the attorney general’s office, CVS reserves a portion of contracts for suppliers that meet certain demographic criteria, including minority-owned, women-owned, and LGBTQ-owned businesses.

The attorney general’s office said those programs may violate state and federal civil rights laws. Officials also said the practices could expose CVS to liability under the Texas Health Care Program Fraud Prevention Act because the company participates as a Medicaid pharmacy provider.

CVS was given 14 days to inform the state about steps it has taken to comply with state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

CVS Health operates a national supply chain network with more than 22 distribution centers and a fleet of 2,500 delivery vehicles supporting more than 9,000 retail stores, pharmacy services, and e-commerce platforms. A 2016 report said CVS Health’s supplier diversity initiatives supported more than 21,145 jobs within its supply chain at that time.

Trucking Schools Under Investigation

The CVS action follows a separate statewide investigation launched April 28 into several truck driving schools over allegations that some commercial drivers may be obtaining CDLs without meeting federal safety requirements, including English-language proficiency standards.

The investigation targets EP Texas Trucking School, Trucker Certified LLC, Fast Track CDL LLC, CDLCALL.COM LLC, and Lindenwood Education System, also known as Ancora.

Federal rules require CDL holders to read and speak English well enough to communicate with the public, understand highway signs and traffic signals, respond to official inquiries, and complete reports and records, according to Paxton’s office.

State investigators allege some schools may have ignored those requirements by advertising programs to non-English speakers, offering accelerated training timelines, and falsely claiming certification status.

Freight Markets and CDL Restrictions

The schools named in the investigation operate in major Texas freight markets, including El Paso, Odessa, San Antonio, Garland, and Arlington. Graduates may move into trucking jobs across logistics hubs such as Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston.

EP Texas Trucking School said it is aware of the concerns and takes them seriously, adding that the school is committed to complying with all applicable state and federal standards and regulations.

On Sept. 30, the Texas Department of Public Safety said it stopped issuing CDLs to noncitizens after a federal directive aimed at tightening commercial licensing requirements. Texas DPS said it would no longer issue, renew, or reissue CDLs for refugees, asylees, or DACA recipients. Pending applications and testing were also suspended until further notice.

A non-domiciled CDL is issued to a person who is not a permanent resident of the state or the United States but is legally present for work. Since 2015, Texas has issued more than 3.2 million total CDLs, including 51,993 to non-domiciled drivers. In 2024, Texas issued 6,265 CDLs to noncitizens.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.

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Semi-Truck Loaded With 25 Million Bees Breaks Down in Utah Canyon, Firefighters Spray Down Hives to Keep Them Alive

By
Kristina
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SALT LAKE COUNTY, UTAH — A semi-truck carrying roughly 25 million honeybees broke down in Parley’s Canyon on Tuesday, prompting firefighters to help keep the bees alive while mechanics worked on the rig.

Unified Fire Authority said the truck was hauling about 480 beehives when it stopped in the canyon due to mechanical issues.

Unified Fire Authority

Firefighters Helped Keep Bees Cool

Firefighters from Millcreek and Unified Fire Authority responded to the scene. While mechanics worked to get the semi-truck running again, fire crews used a hose to mist the trailer.

Officials said the goal was to keep the bees “cool, calm, and safe in the heat.”

Each hive contained an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 bees, according to UFA.

Heat Created Risk for the Load

Officials said the bees could have died if the truck remained parked in the sun too long during the unseasonably hot weather.

UFA said the bees normally benefit from cooler airflow while the truck moves along the highway, but that cooling effect was lost once the rig broke down.

No firefighters were stung during the operation.

“Honestly, one of the coolest reminders that first responders don’t just save people,” Unified Fire said. “Sometimes, they save 25 million bees too.”

No further information was released.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.

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Trucking Groups Oppose Trump Fuel Tax Holiday Proposal, Warn Highway and Infrastructure Funding Could Take Major Hit While Savings Would Be Minimal

By
Kristina
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Major trucking groups are pushing back against a proposed federal fuel tax holiday floated by President Donald Trump, warning that the move would provide little relief to drivers while cutting into funding used for highways, bridges, transit, and infrastructure projects.

Trump raised the possibility of a fuel tax holiday on Monday, May 11. Any pause would require action from Congress, and Republican lawmakers have already introduced legislation that would suspend the 18.4-cent federal tax on gasoline and the 24.4-cent federal tax on diesel.

Trucking Groups Say Savings May Not Reach Consumers

Later that same day, the American Trucking Associations, Truckload Carriers Association, and National Tank Truck Carriers issued a joint statement opposing the proposal.

“We understand and appreciate the desire to provide relief to Americans facing higher fuel costs,” the groups said. “However, history shows that gas tax holidays deliver negligible benefit to consumers. Because the tax is collected at the wholesale level and not at the retail pump, most savings never reach the consumer.”

The groups said the average motorist pays about $1.63 per week in federal fuel taxes, meaning a suspension could amount to only about 30 cents in weekly savings.

They warned that without replacement funding, fuel tax revenue used for highway safety and infrastructure projects would disappear, affecting the movement of people and freight nationwide.

“America’s highways are truckers’ shop floor,” the groups said. “While trucks are only four percent of vehicles on the road, the trucking industry covers nearly half of all Highway Trust Fund revenue.”

Construction Industry Also Raises Concerns

The construction industry also voiced opposition, noting that the federal gas and diesel taxes help fund the Highway Trust Fund, which supports road construction, maintenance, public transit, and infrastructure projects.

Brian Turmail, national spokesman for the Associated General Contractors of America, said a gas tax holiday would hurt transportation funding more than it would help drivers.

“A gas tax holiday is a good way to blow a hole in the collection of revenue for funding highway and transit repairs, but it’s a bad way to help drivers who are affected by higher gas prices,” Turmail said.

Gas prices were reported at about $4.50 per gallon Tuesday, while diesel was listed at $5.64 per gallon. Prices have risen amid the Iran war and disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz, where a major share of global oil normally moves.

Lawmakers Split on Proposal

Some Democrats argued that the proposed tax holiday would not do enough to offset rising fuel prices.

“Eighteen cents of gas tax relief a gallon doesn’t even come close to the $1.50 gas price increase from this war, and Republicans need to stop pretending that it does,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said. “Offering Americans literal pennies on the dollar to cope with skyrocketing gas prices just won’t cut it — 18 cents is not $1.50.”

Some Republicans have supported the idea, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who said she would introduce legislation, and Sen. Josh Hawley, who introduced a bill to pause the gas tax for at least 90 days.

Others expressed caution. Sen. John Cornyn said the fuel tax pays for highways and bridges but added he could support a temporary pause. Sen. John Hoeven said he could also live with a short-term holiday but was more focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to bring prices down.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he had opposed past fuel tax holiday proposals and questioned whether savings would actually reach consumers.

“If you lifted that, does that ultimately get passed on to consumer, to the customer, buyer out there, or does it get sucked up in the supply chain somewhere?” Thune said. “I think those are all fair questions to ask, but it’s a conversation that I think we’re willing to have, and I’m certainly willing to hear the president’s arguments.”

Budget Concerns Could Complicate Effort

Budget concerns could also affect the proposal. The national debt recently surpassed 100% of GDP, and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget previously projected that a three-month fuel tax holiday without replacement revenue could add $10.5 billion to the deficit.

The debate does not fall cleanly along party lines. Some Democrats have supported fuel tax pauses under certain conditions, including Texas state Rep. James Talarico and U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, who introduced legislation that would suspend the federal gas tax when the national average exceeds $4 per gallon.

For trucking groups, the concern remains centered on whether short-term savings would be worth the loss of highway funding that supports the roads truckers use every day.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.

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63-Year-Old Drunk Car Carrier Driver Knocks Down Traffic Light Pole Near Thruway Exit in New York After Crossing Median; Route 57 Closed for Hours, Stop Signs Installed

By
Kristina
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63-Year-Old Drunk Car Carrier Driver Knocks Down Traffic Light Pole

SALINA, NEW YORK — A commercial car carrier driver was charged with drunk driving after crossing into the median and striking a traffic light pole on Route 57 near the Thruway exit in Liverpool, knocking out the traffic signal and closing the road for several hours.

The crash occurred at approximately 5:20 p.m. on May 5 on Route 57 (Oswego Road) between the Liverpool Bypass and Meyer Road in Salina. Carl Carlson, 63, of Huntington in Suffolk County, was driving a car carrier loaded with vehicles for delivery when he crossed into the median and struck the pole. Deputies determined he was drunk and found alcohol in the truck.

Carlson sustained minor injuries. No other injuries were reported.

Carlson faces the following charges: driving while intoxicated — first offense, alcohol or cannabis in a motor vehicle on a highway, failure to obey a traffic device, crossing road hazard markings, and six transportation law infractions.

The traffic light and pole have not yet been replaced. Stop signs are currently in place at the intersection.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.

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Kansas County Fed Up With Semis Ignoring KDOT Detour and Using Gravel Roads — Approves $500 Fine for Trucks After Cattle Truck Rollover Sent Livestock Running

By
Kristina
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HODGEMAN COUNTY, KANSAS — Hodgeman County commissioners have approved a $500 fine for commercial trucks that bypass the Kansas Department of Transportation‘s signed detour around a K-156 construction closure and instead cut through county gravel roads that were never built to handle heavy truck traffic.

The Hodgeman County Board of Commissioners passed the resolution on May 11, 2026, establishing the “No Commercial Traffic Without Local Designation” rule. The ordinance was prompted by a series of accidents, traffic backups, and safety incidents on county roads — particularly 214 Road — since the K-156 closure began on April 6. The closure, scheduled to run through July 3, allows for shoulder widening. KDOT’s official signed detour uses U.S. 50, U.S. 400, U.S. 283, and K-23.

No truck signage will be installed along 214 Road and several other roadways, but the county made clear the rule applies to all county roads even if not posted. The Hodgeman County Sheriff’s Office will begin patrolling the area and issuing $500 citations without warning after a two-week publication period.

What Prompted the Resolution

On May 6, a cattle truck overturned on 214 Road between O Road and K-156, sending livestock running in all directions. The Hodgeman County Sheriff’s Office noted the rollover happened in the same area where deputies had already been warning trucks to stay off the road.

On April 30, HCSO reported a complete traffic backup on the same stretch caused by semi-trucks that had ignored the detour and become stuck. “Just letting everyone know that is going through the road construction and attempting to take back roads — K-156 and 214 Road to O Road is completely blocked by semis that ignored the detour. If you are local traffic find a different route. These trucks may be sitting a while,” HCSO said at the time.

Why It Matters

County officials noted the gravel roads were not designed to carry heavy commercial truck traffic. The ordinance was passed to protect public health, prevent damage to residents’ vehicles, and preserve the integrity of county roads.

“This resolution is in reference to big truck traffic on our county roads in the construction zone area. Some will not like this resolution at all but our number one goal is the safety of people on county roads. We have had a lot of close calls and we aren’t even close to the project being completed,” HCSO said following the vote.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.

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Texas CDL Crackdown Leaves Legal Immigrant Truckers Without Work as Drivers Share Stories of Lost Jobs and Sold Trucks

By
Kristina
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TEXAS — Letytgvgal immigrant truckers and bus drivers in Texas say their lives were upended after the state began canceling non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses under new federal pressure and state enforcement actions. The cancellations have affected legally present noncitizens, including DACA recipients, asylum seekers, refugees, and temporary protected status holders, leaving some longtime drivers without trucking work, income, or clear notice before their licenses were revoked.

Veronica Viera, a 40-year-old DACA recipient in Houston who came to the U.S. from Guatemala as a child, was among the drivers affected. She had driven a bright pink 18-wheeler she called Pink Panther, hauling freight such as whiskey, produce, solar panels, and office furniture across Texas. Viera said she discovered her CDL had already been canceled while finishing a delivery in San Antonio. The loss forced her out of trucking, contributed to financial strain at home, and affected her family directly. Her husband also lost his trucking job, the family sold two trucks, and her oldest son left flight school because tuition was no longer affordable. Viera said she still feels connected to Texas after years of driving across the state and questioned why her immigration status would make her unsafe when she says she speaks English, trained in Texas, and has a clean record.

Other drivers described similar losses. Eunice Kamanu, a Fort Worth-area trucker from Kenya who came to the U.S. as an asylum seeker, said she had long dreamed of driving trucks and especially enjoyed remote hauling work tied to drilling operations. After her CDL was rescinded, she began driving for Uber, but said her income dropped sharply while she still had children and relatives depending on her. Roberto Linares, a temporary protected status holder from El Salvador who lives near Arlington, said he learned his CDL had been canceled only after reporting to work. He later took a lower-paying yard job, and his daughter had to leave a school soccer club because the family could no longer cover the costs. In Houston, school bus driver Rina Flores said losing her CDL meant leaving behind the students she transported each day; she had decorated her bus with encouraging messages and hoped the children would still see them even after she was removed from the route.

State and federal officials say the crackdown is about safety, English proficiency, and proper licensing oversight. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has argued that improperly issued CDLs create roadway risks, while Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said commercial drivers must be able to communicate clearly in English to follow traffic laws and safety instructions. Texas DPS said it revoked 6,407 non-domiciled CDLs and will review more than 3,300 expired licenses for renewal eligibility. Texas leaders have also called for reviews of crash data, stronger trucking school standards, and investigations into CDL schools accused of certifying drivers who were not properly qualified. Immigrant advocates dispute the safety justification and argue that the policy unfairly targets lawful immigrant workers without proof that they are more dangerous than U.S. citizen drivers.

The trucking industry remains divided on the impact. Some transportation experts warn that removing immigrant drivers could worsen labor shortages, raise freight costs, and hurt smaller carriers that cannot afford to leave trucks idle. Others, including the Texas Trucking Association, say noncitizen CDL holders make up a relatively small share of the state’s nearly 724,000 active CDL holders and may not significantly disrupt the market. Legal challenges are already moving in several states, including cases arguing that drivers lost licenses without proper notice or a fair chance to respond. For drivers like Viera, Kamanu, Linares, and Flores, the issue is no longer just policy — it is the sudden loss of work they built their families around.

📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.

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