FMCSA shuts down Utah carrier over violations

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Federal officials have shut down a small Utah carrier after declaring the company and its principal an imminent public safety hazard.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ordered Jay Zachary Barber, manager and director of Reliable Transportation Services, Inc. to immediately cease transportation services March 24. The agency lists the Pleasant Grove general and refrigerated goods carrier as having six trucks and 12 drivers.

No one from the company was immediately available for comment.

FMCSA said it found hours of service and driver qualification violations that substantially increased the likelihood of significant public harm. It used drivers with suspended or revoked commercial driver’s licenses, operated without a driver drug and alcohol testing program and had six recordable accidents since December.

It also concealed hazardous material loads without valid federal registration. It used at least one driver without the appropriate endorsement to transport a hazmat load without the required vehicle placards after telling the driver it was general freight.

Barber had previously operated and managed Factory Direct Foods LLC, a similar business located in the same region as Reliable and with similar safety violations. Barber began at RTS shortly after FMCSA placed FDF out of service, the order noted.