Judge SLASHES Bond from $1.2 Million to $7,000 for Foreign Trucker Who Killed 5 Including a Baby in Fiery Austin Crash

[Into the Night]

Blood tests can be done anytime after the incident.

No, Wally. People have livers.

It is the blood itself that must be taken quickly.

It was taken at the hospital and tested.

If the prosecutors had evidence that the driver was here illegally, they would have presented it already.

They did.

 

[Into the Night]

Why can't Trump supporters read or comprehend what they read?

Where does it say he was speeding on the day of the crash?

Physics.

The stories say this "Records show he was due in court next week in Wilmer, in the Dallas area, for going 63 mph where the speed limit was 30 mph." Dallas is not near Austin and you can't due in court for speeding on the day you are arrested of the accident in Austin.

Yes you can.

Then where does it say any person died from burns?

Irrelevant. Several people died as a result of the accident caused by this truck.

 

[Into the Night]

Traffic was stopped. Running into stopped vehicles doesn't mean he was speeding since it was I-35 where the speed limit in Texas is what? 70mph?

Traffic was stopped BECAUSE of the truck accident, moron.

 

[Into the Night]

They have his blood. That means they can test for every drug until they find one he is on... But they seem to have tested out, and admit he was on no drugs.

The hospital disagrees with you, Wally.

 

[Into the Night]

He could be on a designer drug that isn't tested for. He may not have been on anything but he ran into 17 cars for some reason.

Indications are the following factors are involved:

* Lack of sleep.
* Some sort of depressant found in the truckers system (from blood taken while the trucker was being treated).
* Claiming the brakes failed when they were found to be in perfect working order.
* Logs that have been falsified.
* Work permits issued by a shadow company with multiple addresses.
* Use of a Mexican 'cdl' and visa.
* No reduction in speed before collision.
* No reduction in speed before the work zone.
* Multiple deaths resulting from the collision.
* A later independent test taken some time later showing no influencing drug remaining in his system.

Now Judge Tamara Needles in Austin reduces the bond amount.

 

[Into the Night]

If it has an effect on the body, then it can be tested for. They may not be able to figure out exactly which drug, but they would be able to figure out there is a drug.

Besides, this is just a truck driver, not some sort of billionaire "co-president."

The hospital found a depressant in his system, Wally.

 

[Into the Night]

Facts matter.

Not to you.

I have listed quite a few facts of the case, but you just ignore them.

Especially if you are trying to convict someone of a crime. Getting how people died wrong leads to them getting off.

There are several crimes involved here:

* Manslaughter.
* Evasion.
* Falsified DOT logs.
* False work order (work permit).
* Suppressing evidence.
* Speeding in a work zone.
* Perjury.

 

[Into the Night]

You have no clue what sedition even is. That makes me laugh.


Or should I pity you for your stupidity?

You are describing yourself again, Poorboy. You cannot blame your problem on anybody else.

 

[Into the Night]

My bet is his--required by law--driving log is either incomplete or shows that he was driving illegally per federal and state regulations.

No, the driving log has obviously been falsified. It does not agree with his own statements and it does not agree with the company he work for.

Actually, I just found this site that says the driver had multiple violations in his log and had similar violations over the past week.

Correct.

Also, the charges against him--currently--all include that he was DUI / DWI at the time.

True. The field soberiety test indicated so, and the hospital found some sort of depressant. The driver was also suffering from a severe lack of sleep and driving illegally.

 

[Into the Night]

He failed a breathalyzer but passed a blood test. So either the blood test was taken to much later or the breathalyzer was wrong.

Both failed. The test showing nothing in his system was taken at a later time well after the fact.

 

[Into the Night]

Here in PA, construction zones are clearly marked at least 1500 ft. or more ahead on interstates.
And, if you hit a car in the rear end, you are failing to keep your vehicle under control. That is one traffic violation, which is often written up.
Any violation in a construction zone (speeding, wrong lane, etc.), the fines are doubled. Rear end and kill someone, you're in deep shit

Constructions zones are clearly marked in most any State. In addition Scorpion trucks are parked in the work area to protect workers while they are there. Hitting one of these babies is like hitting the fork barrels on an exit. Marking barrels, the length marked, and the tapering angle are pretty universal through the United States and even in Europe.

The accident occurred in the active traffic lanes of the work zone.

 

[Into the Night]

Having no trailer brake lights would be a violation of truck/trailer inspection by the driver.

The driver claimed the brakes failed. They were found to be in perfect working order.

It is also possible the connection could have come loose after he did his inspection and everything was ok.

If a connection fails, it's permanent. It doesn't suddenly 'fix itself' no matter how violent an accident.

Again, the computer would show whether he slowed or not, as it monitors the truck's speed.

He didn't.

BTW, most trucks (except independents) are governed at 68 mph, which is more than enough to cause the damage that was caused in this collision.
I would think it doubtful he was drunk or stoned out of his gourd. Drivers at every company I know of drug tests their drivers randomly (some even monthly) and most won't risk getting fired for a hot test because that follows them when looking for another job.

That it does. However, this guy was from Mexico, with questionable credentials.

Also, a truck driver pulled over just having 2 beers (which would easily pass in most jurisdictions) while driving his/her own vehicle, and your CDL is gone, and you may as well look for a job picking tomatoes

You won't find it. Picking tomatoes is an automated process these days.

Yes, the trucking company (unless he is an independent, which is highly unlikely) is in for a hell of a lawsuit because they are responsible for their drivers. They better have really good liability insurance...

He is not an independent. The company, which uses modified addresses for itself, could find itself in deep shit too.

 

[Walt]

The hospital disagrees with you, Wally.

Then present the hospital blood tests in court. So far what has been presented in court is that the blood tested negative for drugs.

Seriously, there was a field sobriety test, basic balance stuff, which he failed slightly. That is not a surprise, he had just been in an accident. The blood was taken, and then tested later. The tests all came up negative. The hospital did not test the blood. There are few instant tests for blood, and those that are would not be completely accurate. The prosecutor had the suspect in custody, so was willing to take his time and test it well.

It was tested as completely as modern science can, no drugs or alcohol.

Nope. The work order is issued by the shadow company, Wally. The US government issues visas, not work permits.

Work permits are issued by the US Government. It is often part of the visa issue. For instance, a permanent work permit for a non citizen, is generally called a Green Card, and is issued by... You guessed it... The US GOVERNMENT.

If companies were allowed to decide who got working papers, they would give working papers to everyone.

No, Wally. People have livers.

After the blood is drawn, it has no connection to the liver. It sits in a vial, and is tested later. Unless the driver figured out some way to get his liver into the vial...

The hospital found a depressant in his system, Wally.

allegedly failed a field sobriety test, with officers citing classic symptoms of central nervous system depressant use — bloodshot eyes, mumbled speech, and swaying.

Not the hospital, but police officers. All symptoms could be signs of a concussion, or having just been in a severe car accident. It of course made sense to take blood, for future testing. Those tests came back negative for any drugs or alcohol.

So again, the whole case is shot. Posters here are left with "maybe... maybe... maybe", but prosecutors need far more than "maybe." They need a whole new theory of a crime, and then evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to support that evidence. Given that their previous theory of a crime fell apart in court, it is not looking good.

My question is why haven't they arrested the driver who caused the accident? They claim the truck driver failed to prevent the accident, because of drug use. There is no drug use, so why not arrest the other driver who caused the accident?

 

[Walt]

However, this guy was from Mexico, with questionable credentials.

Ethiopia, not Mexico... Never mind, you are on your own road, and no one will stop you.

 

[Tobytone]

Go stuff your racism up your butt, Wally.

His trucked plowed into other cars without even slowing down, resulting in several deaths.

False.

False.

It seems like their default is to assume everyone’s peddling lies and cutting corners in their trade. 'Must get an independent drug test and believe that one over the crime labs' lol One wonders, is it their own penchant for deceit that convinces them the world’s just as slippery?

 

[Into the Night]

Another outlaw trucker kills some people. Truck drivers are exempted from Federal minimum wage and overtime laws, and therefore are pretty much going to have to violate laws restricting their hours driving, usually working over 100-120 hours a week, and lying about 40 of them in order to drive longer, being paid by the zip code distances. Foreign drivers are even crazier, and these CDL mills feed the industry with a constant supply of unqualified employees, usually paid for by Federal and subsidies from Federal and state 'job training' funds. The stare of Illinois even got caught selling CDL's to people who didn't even bother with the fake schools.

FreightLab Book Review: "Sweatshops on Wheels" - MIT FreightLab

MIT FreightLab review of Sweatshops on Wheels by Michael Belzer. Reviewed by David HC Correll

freightlab.mit.edu

Same old shit, different day. Even local drivers get screwed, since companies that require a CDL for a job get to abuse drivers the same way, claiming they're 'truck drivers' even when they might only drive for 10 minutes out of every hour and do labor for the other 50 minutes, they get exempted and will be worked 70-80 hours a week at 'straight pay' with no overtime pay.

Obtaining a Class A CDL (required for semi drivers), does not require going to a school first. All you have to do is pass the written, driving test, and obtain a medical certificate, similar to a 2nd class airman medical certificate, but is issued under the authority of the DOT. A DOT certified licensed medical professional is the only one that can issue such permits (valid up to two years...less if you are older).

Various hazmat endorsements are further written tests to make sure you understand the nature of the hazmat you are applying for, including handling them in accidents, fire, weight limits and dangerous combinations, etc.

In Mexico, obtaining a CDL is different, but similar enough to be used in the United States as a general carrier (no hazmat). That driver must also have a passport, and a US visa while in the United States, and must be under a work order (work permit) issued by the carrier company in the United States. The driver is expected to obey all U.S. and State traffic regulations, keep accurate records, and maintain his equipment in a safe condition at all times. He is also subject to all DOT regulations concerning hours driven without rest, and required rest periods, and prohibitions on influencing drugs.

A school (in too many cases little more than a degree mill) is supposed to get you trained in handling a semi-truck. It can be important to get your first job as a trucker, but that's going to be for some entry level company like Swift, until you get your wheels under you with experience. If you see a Swift truck, give him extra room. He's still a 'student driver' and inexperienced!

Class B CDLs are used for vehicles that don't tow, such as smaller panel vans, school buses, etc. They also have the medical requirement, but the test is simpler to pass.

I use my CDLA for hauling 1.3 explosives within my State while setting up fireworks shows for cities and such. Not a full time job, but very fun!

 

[Into the Night]

Ethiopia, not Mexico... Never mind, you are on your own road, and no one will stop you.

Mexico, Wally. You can't drive from Africa to the United States in a truck!

 

[Into the Night]

It seems like their default is to assume everyone’s peddling lies and cutting corners in their trade. 'Must get an independent drug test and believe that one over the crime labs' lol One wonders, is it their own penchant for deceit that convinces them the world’s just as slippery?

Remember that Mexico is a land rife with drug gangs and government corruption.
Flaking your way around the 'official documents' is pretty common, since greasing the right person's palm will get you the documents you need.

 

[Into the Night]

I could be wrong, but it appears to be the same judge who originally set bail as high as it could go, $1.2 million. He was willing to try to get the truck driver, until all the evidence disappeared.

It didn't.

Are you going to go after the white guy who caused the accident now, or stick with racism as your guiding light?

Go stuff your racism up your butt, Wally.

 

[Walt]

Mexico, Wally. You can't drive from Africa to the United States in a truck!

I assume he flew from Africa to the USA, then several years later got a CDL, and then a job driving a truck. The company he worked for is in Dallas. I have seen no connection with Mexico.