New York trucking company owner sentenced to prison for lying to FMCSA about safety violations

Source: FMCSA

Rochester, NY — Tony Kirik, also known as Anatoliy Kirik, 43, has been sentenced to 45 months in prison for submitting false information to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), according to a March 20 statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York.

Kirik was convicted by a federal grand jury on charges of making false statements and conspiracy to deceive the FMCSA about the safety of his trucking operations.

Officials report that Kirik submitted false documents regarding his company’s safety rating when applying for authority to operate as an interstate carrier. He also provided false information during safety audits and compliance reviews, hiding numerous violations.

To avoid scrutiny, Kirik created new companies using names of family members and an employee, making them appear unrelated to his previous business with a poor safety record. In truth, the new entities were a continuation of the same unsafe operations.

“Kirik’s actions endangered the safety of our highways by allowing unsafe tractor trailers to continue operating,” stated the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Vail passes $2,650 fine for unchained truckers that spin out on I-70

Source: The city of Vail

Vail, Colorado — The city of Vail has officially passed a new ordinance that will fine truck drivers $2,650 if they spin out and block Interstate 70 without chains during chain law periods.

Vail’s city council voted on the measure Tuesday, March 18th. The ordinance also introduces a $1,500 fine for passenger vehicles driving without chains during chain law enforcement periods. The effective date of the new rule has not yet been announced.

City officials estimate that 60% of truck drivers are not chaining up even when chain laws are in effect. “People are going to complain about this,” said one council member. “But my response is: ‘If you don’t like the fine, don’t break the law.’”

Earlier in January, a $20,000 fine was proposed for truckers who crash without chains, but the city settled on the $2,650 maximum permitted under Colorado state law.

In a letter sent last month to Governor Jared Polis, the Vail Town Council highlighted that 2024 has already seen 99 full closures along I-70, totaling 161 hours of shutdown and an estimated $300 million in economic losses. Colorado has since increased its chain law enforcement efforts along the crucial mountain corridor.

Alberta introduces new Class 1 Learning Pathway for professional drivers

Source: alberta.ca 

Effective April 1, 2025, Alberta will transition from its Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) program to a new Class 1 Learning Pathway for commercial drivers. This made-in-Alberta, apprenticeship-style model aims to enhance driver skills, improve road safety, and provide a higher quality of training for current and future Class 1 drivers.

Developed in collaboration with industry partners, the new model allows trainees to advance through various phases, similar to how skilled trades are taught. These phases are currently being finalized, with more details expected as the implementation date approaches.

The Alberta government is committed to better preparing Class 1 drivers for a successful and safe career in the commercial trucking industry.

Deadly I-35 Crash Sparks Over $150M in Lawsuits Targeting Amazon Logistics and ZBN Transport

Source: ASPW

AUSTIN, Texas — The fatal crash on Interstate 35 has now led to a wave of lawsuits exceeding $150 million, naming Amazon Logistics, ZBN Transport, and driver Solomun Weldekeal Araya as defendants.

Nathan Jonard, one of the crash survivors, filed a $100 million lawsuit in Travis County, accusing Araya of reckless driving while under the influence of CNS depressants. The crash involved 17 vehicles, left five people dead, and injured 11 more. Jonard suffered major injuries and claims his life has been permanently changed.

Additional lawsuits have been filed in Dallas County by the families of Natalia Perez and Sergieo Daniel Lopez, who died along with their children. Each suit seeks over $1 million and demands the preservation of critical evidence.

North Texas attorney Domingo Garcia also filed a $50 million lawsuit on behalf of Maria Concepcion Joaquin, 78, who left behind 11 children and 40 grandchildren. Garcia’s firm noted other victims, including a child, suffered life-altering injuries.

As Texas lawmakers push forward bills that could limit civil suits against trucking companies, these lawsuits call attention to hiring practices and accountability in the transport sector.

Kenworth’s W900 to Reach End of Road in 2026 After 63 Years

Production of T800W and C500 to Also Halt

Source: Kenworth Truck Co. 

Kenworth Truck Co. announced on March 19 that it will cease production of three of its legendary Class 8 trucks in 2026, including the W900, which first rolled off the assembly line in 1963. Also affected are the T800W (wide-hood) and C500 models.

Final orders in 2025: Kenworth has confirmed that the last orders for these models will be accepted later in 2025 before production ends in 2026.

Regulatory and technological shifts: The company cited evolving emissions regulations and component constraints as key factors in its decision, as the trucking industry moves toward more integrated and efficient technologies.

A difficult but necessary decision: “We know these legacy Kenworth models are an integral part of our history, which makes this decision a difficult but necessary one as we enter the next era of trucking,” said Kevin Haygood, assistant general manager for sales and marketing.

An Icon of the Trucking Industry

The W900 debuted in 1963, four years after the 900 series was introduced in 1959. The “W” in its name pays tribute to Kenworth co-founder Edgar Worthington.

•1965: The W900A was introduced with a longer hood.

•1982: The W900B replaced the A-model, featuring a larger radiator for improved cooling.

•1990: The W900L long-hood version debuted with an extra 10 inches of hood length.

•2002: A new extended day cab version was introduced.

The Future: W990 and T880

Kenworth stated that the W990 and T880 will cater to W900 customers moving forward. Earlier this month, the company unveiled a new T880S Performance Hood option, allowing for a Cummins X15engine (up to 605 horsepower and 2,050 lb-ft of torque).

Additionally, the T800, introduced in 1986 as a heavy-duty truck for the construction sector, will also see the end of its production run alongside the T800W.

Source: FTR Transportation Intelligence

Spot Market Update: Flatbed Rates and Volume Surge

Flatbed Rates Reach Highest Level Since 2022

While dry van and reefer rates struggle, flatbed spot market rates have surged, reaching their highest levels since July 2022.

•Flatbed rates & volume climb: Up nearly 2% year-over-year, marking the strongest gains in nearly three years.

•Regional strength: The Southeast is seeing significant demand, likely due to post-hurricane rebuilding efforts.

•Tariffs & trade shifts: The rush to import steel and aluminum ahead of new tariffs may be fueling this spike.

For the week ending March 14 (Week 10 of 2025), the truck freight spot market has maintained its trend of stronger flatbed performance while van equipment rates remain weak. The key driver? Trade policy shifts and regional reconstruction efforts.

Report: Pickup Losing Control at Green River Tunnel Exit Started Fatal Crash

Source: NTSB

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its preliminary report Wednesday on the Green River Tunnel disaster, revealing that a 2006 Toyota Tundra pickup lost control while exiting the westbound tunnel, triggering a 26-vehicle pileup that resulted in three fatalities on February 14, 2025.

The report indicates that snow had fallen earlier that day, and slush and ice may have accumulated near the tunnel exit. The variable speed limit had been reduced from 65 mph to 55 mph.

After colliding with a metal guardrail, the Toyota partially blocked the road. Several vehicles, including a 2024 Peterbilt semi-truck, a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a 2020 Volvo VNL semi-truck, a 2012 Dodge Ram pickup, and a 2019 Freightliner Cascadia truck, were involved in subsequent collisions. A post-crash fire then erupted inside the tunnel.

The crash resulted in:

• Three fatalities, including two occupants of the Dodge Ram and a truck driver trapped in the tunnel

• Twenty injuries of varying severity

Authorities continue their investigation to determine liability. The NTSB, working with federal and local agencies, aims to establish the probable cause of the crash and issue safety recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Border: CBSA Seizes $11 Million Worth of Cocaine at Blue Water Bridge

Source: Canada Border Services Agency

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has made a major bust, seizing 419 kg of cocaine, valued at $11 million, from two tractor-trailers entering Canada from the U.S. at the Blue Water Bridge.

As part of the investigation, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has charged Pawandeep Dhillon, 34, of Innisfil, Ontario, for importing 86 kg of cocaine, worth $2.3 million, on February 27.

Just a week later, on March 6, Ravinderbir Singh, 23, of Brampton, Ontario, was also charged after attempting to smuggle 333 kg of cocaine, valued at $9 million, across the border.

The CBSA and RCMP continue their efforts to combat cross-border drug trafficking, emphasizing the importance of strict border enforcement to protect Canada from organized crime and the importation of illicit substances.

Walmart Strengthens Its Logistics Network and Challenges Amazon with a Freight Brokerage Service

Source: Walmart

Walmart is taking a new step in the logistics sector with the launch of a freight brokerage program for carriers. This initiative, part of the expansion announced last August, aims to offer third-party logistics services to Walmart sellers by leveraging its existing network.

Partner carriers have recently received invitations to join the program, ensuring them a steady flow of freight in exchange for meeting strict criteria, including a fleet of 10 to 1,000 trucks, a minimum cargo insurance of $100,000, and the use of smart tracking devices.

This project is part of Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS), positioning itself as a direct competitor to Amazon’s Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). Unlike Amazon, Walmart leverages its vast network of physical stores to optimize last-mile logistics and reduce transportation costs. While Amazon has faced criticism for high storage fees and long-term penalties, Walmart offers a simpler and more cost-effective pricing structure to attract third-party sellers.

With this new service, Walmart could capture part of Amazon’s freight market and reshape the logistics landscape for e-commerce businesses.

Walmart is launching a freight brokerage service for partner carriers, strengthening its position against Amazon. By integrating this offering into Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS), the retailer optimizes its supply chain and could divert some of Amazon’s freight by offering a more affordable and efficient alternative for third-party sellers.