FMCSA declares Kentucky truck driver an imminent hazard

A driver licensed in Kentucky has been declared an imminent hazard to the public by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for being found driving with a suspended commercial driver’s license and hours-of-service violations and also having drug paraphernalia.

The truck driver, Jerry L. Jasper, was driving a truck on Dec. 6, 2017, on Kansas Highway 4 in Rush County, when he was stopped by a Kansas Highway Patrol officer for speeding. The officer determined Jasper was driving with a suspended CDL and in violation of multiple hours-of-service regulations. The Kansas Highway Patrol also found drug paraphernalia in the truck cab. Jasper was arrested and taken to jail.  He subsequently posted bond and was released.

Jasper was again arrested on Dec. 8 while operating a commercial truck on Interstate 70 in Warren County in Missouri. During a roadside safety inspection, a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer again found Jasper operating with a suspended CDL and in violation of multiple hours-of-service regulations.

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 $1,811 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.

Jasper also may be subject to a civil penalty enforcement proceeding brought by FMCSA for his violation of the Agency’s safety regulations.