Trucking Crime Blotter - June 2018 - Spec On The Job

A rundown of trucking-related arrests, convictions, and crime news from June 2018.

June 5, 2018

A prosecutor says a semi driver from Wisconsin used a slingshot and metal ball bearings to shatter windows in vehicles along Interstate 74.

State police arrested 53-year-old Kevin L. Casey after catching him using a slingshot to shatter a minivan’s window.

Rietz has also been charged in a May 8 window-shattering incident that left glass embedded in a 3-year-old boy’s face.

The suspect is being held on $2 million bond.

Source: WGLC

June 7, 2018

A semi driver who rear-ended a school bus with students inside is scheduled to be arraigned on June 7.

The arraignment comes after 42-year-old Wayne Murphy of Indianapolis, Indiana was arrested on charges of crashing into a school bus with his semi-truck. 20 people were injured.

The bus was rear-ended after pulling over onto the shoulder of Interstate 39 due to a mechanical issue.

A spokesperson with the Wisconsin State Patrol said Murphy was driving erratically before the crash.

A judge set the defendant’s bail at $35,000.

Source: NBC 15

June 11, 2018

Police arrested a garbage truck driver on five charges after he crashed into several parked cars.

The incident happened at about 5:30 AM. Yet police observed that the truck driver had watery eyes, slurred speech, and an unsteady gait. Police also said he was uncooperative and pushed one of them away before fleeing on foot.

The suspect was charge with – among other things – refusing to take a breathalyzer test.

Source: Brooklyn Reporter

June 13, 2018

A semi driver was arrested after allegedly hitting another motorist in the head with a hammer.

The road-rage incident happened after the victim attempted to pass the semi in a Honda Accord. But the driver didn’t have enough time to successfully complete the pass, and ended up side-swiping the front of the semi. The two drivers then got into an altercation involving yelling and pushing.

Semi driver Jose Pedilla-Maciel then allegedly grabbed a hammer from the truck and hit the Accord driver in the head. Pedilla-Maciel was later arrested for assault with a deadly weapon.

Source: Fox40

June 20, 2018

A tanker-truck driver was charged after his truck blew a tire and crashed on Interstate 95.

According to a police spokesperson, debris from the burst tire struck a sedan and caused that driver to lose control of their vehicle. There were no reported injuries, or spillage from the tanker.

The tanker driver was charged with Defective Equipment.

Source: WTVR

June 21, 2018

Sixty-two truck drivers were arrested for blockading a freeway as part of a protest.

The drivers were charged with public violence and obstructing traffic. A police spokesperson confirmed that protesters threw stones at police vehicles and moving trucks.

Social media reports from trucking companies suggest the protests are a result of South African truckers being angry about the employment of foreign drivers in the industry.

Source: IOL

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