What We Know About the Crash and the Driver's History
A deadly crash on the Florida Turnpike is now the focus of a federal investigation after three people were killed when a minivan was crushed under the trailer of a commercial truck. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has confirmed the driver attempted an illegal U-turn when the crash occurred, triggering a deeper review by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
According to DOT officials, the truck driver failed an English proficiency test administered after the crash. This failure and questions surrounding how the driver obtained multiple CDLs across state lines have raised serious concerns about licensing enforcement, trucking company oversight, and how both are key factors in serious truck accidents.
Why English Proficiency Requirements Matter in Trucking
FMCSA regulations require all commercial truck drivers to be able to speak and read English well enough to:
- Converse with law enforcement
- Read traffic signs and signals
- Respond to official inquiries
- Complete reports and records
In this case, the driver correctly answered only two of 12 verbal questions and could identify just one of four traffic signs. That level of failure, according to investigators, points to broader systemic breakdowns. If a driver cannot understand basic road signage or communicate during a traffic stop, they are not legally qualified to operate a commercial vehicle.
DOT officials say the driver was granted a Washington State CDL in 2023, which should not have been possible given his immigration status. In 2024, he was issued a non-domiciled CDL in California. And just a month before the fatal crash, he was stopped in New Mexico and issued a speeding ticket without receiving an English proficiency assessment, even though new enforcement rules had taken effect.
FMCSA Launches Nationwide Review of State Licensing Programs
In the wake of this crash, the FMCSA is now investigating not just the driver, but also the carrier company and the states that issued his licenses. The case has triggered a broader compliance review of all states issuing non-domiciled CDLs.
Non-domiciled CDLs are typically issued to drivers who aren’t permanent residents of the U.S. These licenses are supposed to meet the same federal requirements as standard CDLs, but enforcement can vary widely by state. This inconsistency has led to what DOT officials are calling a “lawless frontier” of improper licensing and minimal oversight.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has called for an immediate suspension of non-domiciled CDL programs in states that cannot prove full compliance. The group emphasized that no driver should be operating a 40-ton commercial truck without meeting the minimum legal standards.
What Happens When Trucking Companies Ignore Red Flags?
This crash also highlights the responsibilities of motor carriers. According to investigators, the driver was operating on behalf of White Hawk Carriers, Inc., a company that is now under review for how it hired and vetted the driver.
Carriers are required by federal law to:
- Verify a driver’s qualifications and documentation
- Maintain accurate driver files and logs
- Monitor driving behavior and compliance history
- Ensure proper English proficiency
If a company fails to screen a driver properly or ignores signs of disqualification, it can be held liable for any resulting crashes. In this case, the company allowed a driver with multiple license questions, a prior traffic violation, and inadequate language skills to operate a truck that ended up taking multiple lives.
Victims Deserve Answers and Accountability
For families affected by this crash, the investigation is about more than regulatory reform. It’s about accountability for the lives lost. A truck driver who should not have been on the road made a reckless decision, and people died as a result.
Whether the fault lies with the driver, the carrier, the states that issued his CDLs, or all of the above, it’s clear that systemic failures played a role. Crashes like this show how one lapse in oversight can ripple out into devastating consequences for innocent people on the road.
Why Legal Representation Matters in Catastrophic Truck Crash Cases
Victims of truck crashes need an attorney who understands the layers of liability in these cases. This includes not only driver negligence but also corporate misconduct, licensing violations, and regulatory failures. At Fried Goldberg LLC, we investigate every angle, from training records to state licensing databases, to make sure the full truth is uncovered.
Our firm has worked with forensic experts, safety regulators, and industry insiders to expose wrongdoing in truck crash litigation. We know what questions to ask and how to prove when a driver or company violated the law long before a crash happened.
Driving Legal Change to Make Roads Safer
Beyond individual cases, these types of crashes push the legal community to demand better from the trucking industry. Fried Goldberg is committed to driving change not just in the courtroom, but across the entire system. We’ve trained law enforcement, co-counseled with attorneys nationwide, and contributed to legal reforms aimed at holding unsafe carriers accountable.
The Florida crash is a painful reminder of what can happen when regulatory safeguards fail. But it’s also an opportunity to shine a light on what needs to be fixed and to keep pushing until it is.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a crash involving a commercial vehicle, contact Fried Goldberg LLC. We are the truck accident attorneys that lawyers across the country trust with their most complex cases. Our team is here to listen, investigate, and fight for the justice you deserve.
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