Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, April 1, 2021:
FMCSA shuts down Nevada-based trucker following two DUI arrests
Julio Perea Ayala, a Nevada-licensed truck driver, has been effectively shut down by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration after being arrested by the Nevada Highway Patrol for driving under the influence of alcohol while driving a commercial vehicle on two separate occasions 12 days apart in March.
On March 5, Ayala was stopped for erratic driving. FMCSA said his blood alcohol content measured 0.337 during this stop. Less than two weeks later, on March 17, he was pulled over again, this time with a BAC measuring 0.282. The legal BAC limit while operating a commercial vehicle is 0.04.
On both occasions, FMCSA said Ayala was also charged with having open containers of alcohol and operating a vehicle with expired registration.
Failing to comply with the provisions of the federal imminent hazard order could result in civil penalties of up to $1,928 for each violation. Knowing and/or willful violations may also result in criminal penalties.
Ayala cannot operate a commercial motor vehicle until he successfully completes the statutorily required return-to-duty process overseen by a substance abuse professional.
