WASHINGTON — A New Jersey-licensed truck driver who caused a fatal accident in September has been declared an imminent hazard to public safety by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
On Sept. 4, 2020, Quentin Campbell was operating a tractor-trailer on Interstate 90 in Monroe County, New York, traveling westbound when he made an illegal U-turn and was struck by an eastbound passenger vehicle. Both occupants of the passenger vehicle were killed. Instead of stopping, Campbell completed the illegal U-turn and fled the scene. He was later arrested by New York State Police officers and charged with two counts of manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of a fatal crash.
In conjunction with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, the FMCSA has disqualified Campbell from operating any commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for which a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required. Campbell was served the federal order on Oct. 15, 2020.
The FMCSA’s imminent hazard out-of-service order states that Campbell’s “blatant and egregious violations of the [federal safety regulations] and ongoing and repeated disregard for the safety of the motoring public … substantially increases the likelihood of serious injury or death to you and the motoring public.”
Failure to comply with the provisions of a federal imminent hazard out-of-service order may result in action by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for equitable relief and punitive damages. Civil penalties of up to $1,848 may be assessed for each violation of operating a commercial motor vehicle in violation of the order. Knowing and/or willful violation of the order may also result in criminal penalties.
Campbell also may be subject to a civil penalty enforcement proceeding brought by the FMCSA for his violation of the agency’s safety regulations.
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.
I can not understand why a driver would try to make a U turn on an Interstate highway. I saw one on I-270 in Illinois try a U turn and got stuck in a deep ditch. There are exits to make U turns. And it a whole lot safer.