Washington carrier, driver shut down by FMCSA

Updated Dec 10, 2017
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A Washington State carrier and one of its drivers who had been placed out-of-service at rate more than 13 times the national average have been shut down by the U.S. Department of Transportation..

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration today said it has ordered Tumwater, Washington-based Even Flo Logistics, to immediately cease all interstate and intrastate operations after investigators found the company to pose an imminent hazard to public safety.

Out of ServiceA statement from the FMCSA said a separate imminent hazard order was served to Even Flo Logistics’ truck driver Shawn Roberts, a state of Washington commercial driver’s license holder.  The federal order prohibits Roberts from operating any commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce.

The FMCSA said that in August of 2017, the Washington State Patrol’s Motor Carrier Safety Division conducted a compliance investigation of Even Flo Logistics following roadside inspections occurring in multiple states since January 2017. The inspections, according to the FMCSA, revealed repeated serious safety violations requiring that its truck driver Roberts be placed out-of-service at rate more than 13 times the national average.

Numerous serious violations of federal safety statutes and regulations were discovered, according to the FMCSA. They included:

Failing to comply with certain driver qualification requirements, including ensuring that its drivers were properly licensed to operate a CMV.  Investigators discovered that on at least two occasions when Roberts possessed a CDL learner’s permit only, the company allowed him to operate a truck without a licensed CDL driver with him as required. During October 2017 when Roberts’ CDL had been suspended and/or withdrawn by the State of Washington, Even Flo Logistics allowed Roberts on at least one occasion to operate a truck in interstate commerce.

Failing to properly monitor its drivers to ensure compliance with maximum hours-of-service requirements.  Since January 2017, Roberts has been subjected to 12 roadside inspections, and was cited for HOS violations in 10 of those inspections.

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Failing to ensure it has negative pre-employment controlled substances/alcohol tests results before allowing drivers to operate CMVs; failing to ensure its drivers are tested within the required period when selected for controlled substances/alcohol random testing; failing to require post-accident controlled substances/alcohol testing of its driver.

Based on the violations discovered during the Washington State Patrol investigation, the motor carrier was issued a final federal safety rating of “Unsatisfactory” and ordered to cease operations effective Oct. 10, 2017.  The motor carrier subsequently operated on at least two occasions in violation of this federal order.

The FMCSA imminent hazard out-of-service order to Even Flo Logistics stated that the carrier’s ongoing noncompliance with federal safety regulations, combined with the company’s demonstrated lack of safety management controls “significantly increases the likelihood of serious injury or death to its drivers and the motoring public and establishes an imminent hazard.”

The FMCSA imminent hazard out-of-service order to Roberts stated that his â€śblatant disregard of [federal safety regulations] and continued disregard for the safety of the motoring public …. substantially increases the likelihood of serious injury or death to you and/or to the motoring public.”

The FMCSA statement said:

Among other driver violations of federal safety regulations, Roberts has been cited for operating a CMV in violation of conditions of his CDL learner’s permit; operating a CMV without a valid CDL; being on-duty while under the influence of a narcotic drug/amphetamine, and; possession of an intoxicating beverage while on-duty or driving.

Roberts is also facing drug-related criminal charges in both Arizona and Wyoming.  Since January 2017, while operating a CMV, Roberts has been involved in four crashes.  In May 2017, Roberts reportedly posted a photograph on social media of a 12-year-old operating a CMV.  In July 2017, Roberts reportedly posted a photograph on social media of a clamp attached to the gas pedal along with the caption, â€śWhen your cruise control brakes [sic] the fix.”