Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, March 23, 2021:
California-based trucker shut down after crashing into house, falsifying med cert
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration effectively shut down a California-based truck driver after he crashed into a house in Arizona, resulting in one fatality and two serious injuries.
FMCSA’s imminent hazard order says trucker Daniel Tobon, also known as Daniel Moran, was driving a tractor-trailer on Dec. 31, 2020, when he crashed into a house in Mesa, Arizona. He was exiting U.S. 60 at Crismon Road when the truck failed to stop at the off-ramp intersection, crossed over a center curb, struck a signal pole and crashed through a masonry block wall before hitting the front entrance of the residence and destroying the house.
The crash report from the Mesa Police Department noted it appeared Tobon made no evasive maneuvering to avoid the crash, adding the possible influencing conditions for the crash was “illness or physical impairment.”
FMCSA investigators found that in September 2020, Tobon had fraudulently certified his medical certification. He also fraudulently certified the form in September 2018.
Failing to comply with the provisions of the federal imminent hazard order may result in civil penalties of up to $1,928 for each violation. Knowing and/or willful violations may result in criminal penalties.
Tobon may not operate a commercial motor vehicle until such time he is successfully completes a return-to-duty process including obtaining a valid medical certification issued by a certified medical examiner.
