American truck drivers (2026)

11/11/2025

INDIANA — A 29-year-old Mauritanian truck driver, identified as Ahmed Nenni, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Indiana State Police during a routine weigh station inspection on October 16, sparking widespread debate about immigration enforcement in the trucking industry.

Nenni, who reportedly has a pending asylum case and marriage-based green card application, was taken into custody at approximately 11:30 a.m. while running his regular delivery route through northern Indiana, according to his wife, Elizabeth Nenni.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to Newsweek that Nenni lawfully held a Michigan-issued commercial driver’s license (CDL) and worked for Zain Express, a Dearborn-based trucking company.

According to Elizabeth, officers approached her husband as he stood outside his truck and instructed him to follow them for additional questioning.

“Ahmed is a law-abiding individual, so he complied,” she said. “Later, he called to tell me ICE had taken him into custody.”

DHS later stated that Nenni unlawfully entered the United States near San Diego on September 15, 2023, but was released under the Biden administration’s migrant parole protocols. His immigration court hearing is currently scheduled for 2027 in New York.

Elizabeth emphasized that her husband has no criminal record, pays taxes, and has been working legally as he awaits the outcome of his asylum and green card cases.

Nenni’s detention reignited concerns among immigrant truckers and industry advocates, who say the lack of federal clarity on “non-domiciled” CDLs and evolving FMCSA policies leaves many drivers vulnerable to enforcement actions.

Source: Newsweek / Department of Homeland Security / Indiana State Police

11/11/2025

LAFAYETTE, La. — Veteran truck driver Stacy Batiste of Lafayette, Louisiana, was honored by Pilot Company as the winner of the 2025 Road Warrior Contest, earning a custom-built Kenworth from the Diesel Brothers and a $50,000 cash prize for his decades of safe and dedicated driving.

Batiste, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with 33 years behind the wheel, has logged more than 5.1 million accident-free miles. On October 21, while stopping at a Flying J in Baytown, Texas, he was stunned when Pilot and the Diesel Brothers surprised him with the new truck and a check in front of his hidden family.

Batiste began his trucking career hauling sugar cane in South Louisiana, and now, as an owner-operator, he continues mentoring new drivers and promoting highway safety across the country.

Pilot praised Batiste for his “outstanding professionalism, leadership, and impact on the trucking community,” calling him an example of the pride and perseverance that keeps America moving.

Source: Pilot Company / Diesel Brothers / CDLLife

09/11/2025

Oklahoma Highway Patrol and ICE officers arrested 70 undocumented individuals during a two-day highway enforcement operation, including 34 commercial truck drivers allegedly operating unlawfully obtained CDLs from sanctuary states like California, Illinois, and New York.

According to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), many of the arrested drivers lacked legal status or English proficiency — a violation of federal CDL standards. Officials say these actions “endangered public safety” by placing unqualified operators behind the wheel of 80,000-pound tractor-trailers.

The sweep was conducted under Oklahoma’s 287(g) partnership with ICE, which allows state troopers to assist in immigration-related enforcement.
Governor Kevin Stitt praised the action, stating: “To lawfully operate a commercial motor vehicle in Oklahoma, you must be here legally and understand English. These are common-sense standards that we will continue to enforce.”

ICE confirmed that the 34 truck drivers arrested originated from 15 countries, including India, China, Mexico, Turkey, and Uzbekistan.
The agency says similar operations are being coordinated nationwide under the Secure Roads and Safe Trucking Act of 2025, prioritizing the removal of unlicensed or unauthorized drivers.

Source: ICE / Oklahoma Highway Patrol / Governor’s Office

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09/11/2025

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD — Police have released new photos of the suspect wanted in the 2022 road rage shooting that killed 29-year-old tow truck driver Delonte Hicks on Route 50 near Veterans Parkway in Cheverly.

According to Maryland State Police, Hicks was driving eastbound around 5:45 p.m. on March 19, 2022, when he became involved in a confrontation with the driver of a dark-colored Hyundai Sonata. Investigators say the suspect pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots into Hicks’ tow truck, killing him instantly before fleeing the scene.

Hicks, who lived in Washington, D.C., had just returned to work at Central Towing after a brief break from the job. Friends described him as a hardworking and family-oriented man with a reputation for helping others.

Detectives say there is no evidence Hicks knew the shooter. The FBI is now assisting in the investigation, and authorities are offering a $30,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Newly released surveillance images show the suspected gunman and the Hyundai Sonata believed to be involved in the fatal shooting.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Maryland State Police immediately.

Source: Maryland State Police / FOX Baltimore

08/11/2025

PHARR, TX — A Mexican commercial truck driver, 34-year-old Mario Pastor, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of attempting to smuggle over $6 million worth of co***ne through the Pharr International Bridge, according to a statement issued by the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office on October 29, 2025.

The case stems from a March 5, 2025 incident when Pastor attempted to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in a commercial tractor-trailer. During inspection, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers referred the truck for secondary screening, where they discovered approximately 440 pounds of co***ne concealed within the shipment’s cargo.

The drugs — with an estimated street value exceeding $6 million — were seized immediately, and Pastor was taken into custody. Following a jury trial, Pastor was found guilty on federal drug smuggling charges and sentenced to 15 years in state prison.

Hidalgo County District Attorney Terry Palacios praised the work of law enforcement, stating:

“This verdict sends a clear message. Drug traffickers who attempt to use our highways and borders to transport dangerous narcotics will be caught and held fully accountable. The men and women of law enforcement who stopped this shipment prevented millions of dollars’ worth of illegal drugs from reaching our communities.”

Officials emphasized that such enforcement efforts at Texas ports of entry are critical in curbing cross-border drug trafficking networks operating along commercial trade routes.

Source: Hidalgo County District Attorney’s Office / U.S. Customs and Border Protection

08/11/2025

CHEYENNE, WY — President Donald Trump granted a full and unconditional pardon on Friday to Troy Lake, a 65-year-old Wyoming diesel mechanic who served seven months in federal prison for removing and modifying emissions systems on truck engines.

Lake, owner of Elite Diesel near Cheyenne, was originally sentenced to one year and one day behind bars and fined $52,000 following a six-year federal investigation launched by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He was released early to home confinement in September 2025.

When Lake learned of his pardon through a voicemail from U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis, he said he broke down in tears.

“I don’t guess men are supposed to do that,” Lake said. “But it’s great — it’s news that reminds you there are still good things in the world.”

Sen. Lummis, who confirmed the pardon, said she was “delighted” but “shocked it was ever needed,” calling Lake’s prosecution excessive.

Lake’s wife, Holly, received the news while driving on Interstate 25 and had to pull over, overwhelmed with emotion.

“These are the first tears I’ve shed since it all started,” she said, recalling the six-year ordeal that began when EPA agents raided their shop in 2018.

Lake’s conviction had left him unable to vote, hold office, or possess fi****ms, rights now restored with the presidential pardon.

“I thought I’d die a felon,” Lake said. “Now, I finally feel free again.”

Source: Cowboy State Daily / U.S. DOJ / EPA

07/11/2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new Senate bill introduced this week would apply the same English language standards required for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders to rideshare drivers, tightening language proficiency rules nationwide.

On November 6, 2025, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced the Understanding Basic English Requirements (UBER) Act, a proposal designed to align rideshare hiring standards with federal CDL safety regulations. The legislation would require drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft to read, write, and speak English proficiently in order to legally operate.

If passed, the UBER Act would:
• Ban federal contracts with rideshare platforms whose drivers fail English proficiency standards.
• Require drivers to converse with the public and law enforcement in English.
• Ensure drivers can read U.S. traffic signs, respond to official inquiries, and complete reports in English.
• Bar noncompliant companies from receiving government contracts for five years.

The bill mirrors federal rules that already apply to CDL holders under FMCSA’s English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards.

Tuberville, who also introduced the Secure Commercial Licensing Act in October — requiring CDL testing to be conducted only in English — said the UBER Act is meant to “keep Americans safe on the road.”

“America is an English-speaking country,” Tuberville said. “If you want to live and work here, you need to be able to read and speak English. Too many Americans have died due to relaxed standards. This bill ensures accountability for companies transporting American citizens every day.”

If enacted, the measure could dramatically reshape how major rideshare platforms recruit and qualify drivers, particularly in cities with large immigrant driver populations.

Source: U.S. Senate / CDLLife / FMCSA

07/11/2025

The family of 57-year-old semi-truck driver Bohdan Vetrov, who was killed during a June 29, 2023 police pursuit, has filed a $26 million wrongful death claim against the City of Lakewood, Washington.

According to the claim, officers chased robbery suspects in a stolen Kia after an armed robbery at a Tacoma 7-Eleven. The suspects ran a red light, striking Vetrov’s truck on the I-5 ramp. The crash caused his rig to jackknife, ejecting him from the cab and throwing him off the overpass. He later died from his injuries.

Vetrov, a husband and father of seven, had immigrated from Ukraine in 2017 and was the family’s sole provider. Attorneys Mark Lindquist and Angus Lee allege that the pursuit violated Lakewood Police Department Policy 17.2.2 and Washington state law RCW 10.116.060, both requiring risk assessments and supervisory approval before engaging in a chase.

“If police follow the rules and use common sense, they can catch the bad guys without endangering the public,” Lindquist said, adding that Officer Craner lacked the required pursuit certification.

The claim also alleges that officers failed to coordinate with supervisors or plan a safe end to the chase, leading to the deadly crash. Both teenage suspects survived the collision.

Filing a claim is the first step before a lawsuit can be filed against a government agency in Washington. The Vetrov family may proceed with a lawsuit after a 60-day claim period.

The Lakewood Police Department declined to comment, citing ongoing legal matters.

📸 Images used under fair use for news reporting.

Source: TruckDrivers.Life | City of Lakewood | Attorneys Mark Lindquist & Angus Lee

07/11/2025

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has reinstated Yellow Corporation’s $1.5 billion lawsuit accusing the International Brotherhood of Teamsters of actions that allegedly pushed the company into bankruptcy.

In a unanimous ruling issued November 5, 2025, the appellate court found that the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas had “erred” in dismissing the case last year. The three-judge panel ruled that the lower court should have instead allowed Yellow to amend its complaint with new allegations before tossing the case.

Yellow — along with subsidiaries YRC Freight, USF Holland, New Penn Motor Express, and USF Reddaway — first filed the lawsuit in June 2023, shortly before declaring bankruptcy. The company alleged that the Teamsters Union’s refusal to negotiate key operational changes sabotaged Yellow’s restructuring plan and led to its collapse after nearly 100 years in operation.

At the time of its shutdown, Yellow was one of the largest less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers in the United States, employing over 30,000 workers, including 22,000 Teamsters members.

With the appellate court’s decision, the case will now return to the District Court of Kansas, where Yellow’s legal team plans to pursue damages exceeding $1.5 billion for alleged breach of contract and bad faith bargaining.

The Teamsters have not yet issued a statement following the ruling.

Source: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit / U.S. District Court of Kansas / FMCSA

06/11/2025

CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced plans to cancel more than 60 Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) held by Mexican and Canadian truck drivers, as part of a federal phase-out of non-domiciled CDL programs.

The move comes under a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) emergency rule issued in September 2025, restricting CDL and Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP) eligibility to specific visa categories and requiring states to align their licensing systems with federal immigration and safety standards.

According to Nevada DMV officials:
• 62 drivers from Mexico and Canada will lose their CDLs, as federal law requires them to be licensed by their home countries.
• Around 980 Limited-Term CDL holders statewide will be affected as Nevada phases out the program.
• No new or duplicate Limited-Term CDLs will be issued moving forward.
• Current Limited-Term CDLs will expire naturally based on each driver’s lawful stay as determined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

DMV Director Tonya Laney stated:

“Nevada is taking a proactive, responsible approach to comply with the new federal requirements. By phasing out the Limited-Term CDL program, we are protecting federal highway funding, maintaining program integrity, and ensuring compliance with national standards.”

Drivers losing their commercial credentials may apply for a Non-Commercial Driver’s License (NCDL) or Driver Authorization Card (DAC) if they qualify under state law.

The rule is part of a broader USDOT crackdown on non-domiciled CDLs, which federal officials say is meant to strengthen national safety and licensing integrity — though critics argue it disproportionately impacts immigrant drivers and cross-border commerce.

Source: Nevada DMV / FMCSA / U.S. Department of Transportation

05/11/2025

FARIBAULT, Minn. — A 56-year-old truck driver, identified as Billie Joe Grimes, pleaded not guilty on November 4, 2025, to two counts of criminal vehicular homicide and one count of criminal vehicular operation stemming from a 2023 fatal crash on Interstate 35.

According to investigators, the crash occurred on August 25, 2023, when Grimes’ semi-truck failed to slow down for stopped traffic near a construction zone, striking two vehicles and killing 57-year-old Henry Hansen and 56-year-old Cimberly Ellen Hansen.

A criminal complaint alleges that a driver-facing dash cam recorded Grimes watching a Netflix show as he approached the crash site. Investigators say his phone showed two downloaded shows, contradicting his claim that he was only downloading “Rust Valley Restorers” for later viewing.

Grimes told officers he had “just a couple seconds to react” and couldn’t remember if he applied the brakes. Data revealed he was traveling 68 mph at the time of impact.

Prosecutors argue Grimes was so distracted that he failed to apply the brakes before the collision, directly leading to the deaths. Grimes has requested a jury trial to contest the charges.

Source: KARE 11 / Minnesota State Patrol

05/11/2025

WARSAW, N.C. — The Warsaw Police Department (WPD) has arrested former Circle T Trucking employee Makinio Wallace on multiple felony charges after investigators uncovered a fuel card fraud scheme involving a company-issued card.

According to WPD, the investigation began after Circle T Trucking, based in Stratonsburg, North Carolina, reported suspicious fuel charges made at a Sheetz gas station in Warsaw. Detectives later identified Wallace as the suspect.

On November 3, 2025, authorities issued warrants charging Wallace with:
• 9 counts of Obtaining Property by False Pretense (Felony)
• 9 counts of Financial Card Fraud (Felony)
• 1 count of Financial Card Theft (Felony)
• 1 count of Conspiracy to Obtain Property by False Pretense (Felony)

Police say Wallace was already out on pre-trial release for unrelated offenses and is now being held without bond.

The investigation remains ongoing as WPD reviews surveillance footage and fuel transaction records.

Source: Warsaw Police Department (WPD)

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