Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Jan. 16, 2023:
Driver busted in Indiana with 22 pounds of cocaine in sleeper
Indiana State Police found approximately 22 pounds of cocaine in a truck's sleeper berth during a Jan. 12 inspection.Indiana State Police
A statement from ISP said at about 3:50 p.m., a trooper stopped a tractor-trailer for a motor carrier inspection on I-70 near the 59 mile marker. The driver was identified as Jorge Bucio, 37, of Weatherford, Texas.
During the course of the inspection and conversation with Bucio, criminal indicators were detected, which raised the suspicion that illicit activity was occurring. The Plainfield Police Department's canine was called for assistance. A positive canine alert for the odor of illegal drugs led to the search of the tractor-trailer.
During the search, the trooper discovered about 22 pounds of cocaine located in the sleeper berth.
Bucio was taken into custody and transported to the Hendricks County Jail where he is currently being detained. He was charged with dealing narcotics, a level 2 felony, and possession of narcotics, a level 3 felony.
Michigan’s Royal Truck & Trailer becomes full-service Utility dealer
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Co. recently announced that Royal Truck & Utility Trailer, formally Royal Truck & Trailer, is now the full-service Utility dealer for the entire state of Michigan.
Royal Truck & Utility Trailer also completed its purchase of Hudsonville Trailer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Hudsonville Trailer has been a full-service dealer for Utility since 2010.
Royal Truck & Utility Trailer is headed up by Ken Bumgardner, President and CEO; Julie Bumgardner Igielske, as CFO; and Kevin Igielske, vice president of sales.
Mark Gazan will continue in his leadership role at the Grand Rapids location, which is now Royal’s sixth location in Michigan. Royal Truck & Utility Trailer locations are strategically located throughout the state in Dearborn, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Warren, Wixom and Hudsonville with the corporate headquarters located in Northville, Michigan.
“After 11 successful years as a Great Dane dealer, we have decided to move forward with a new manufacturer,” said Ken Bumgardner. “We are excited to be working with Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, another family-owned and -operated business, committed to the same core values as Royal: placing our customers and employees at the heart of what we do.”
Founded by Roy Bumgardner in 1970, Royal Truck & Utility Trailer is now in its third generation of the family. .
New Run on Less campaign focuses on electric truck expansion
The North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE) and RMI have announced the launch of Run on Less -- Electric Depot (RoL-E DEPOT) for this fall.
The Run will focus on what is needed for fleets to move from having one or two electric trucks to having 15 or even a complete changeover to electric at a single site.
“Going from one or two trucks to 15 or more adds complexity to the needed infrastructure and charging requirements,” said Mike Roeth, NACFE’s executive director. “Some fleets are already doing this successfully, and we want to study them to learn how they overcame some of the challenges they faced in scaling electric truck adoption.”
NACFE is in the process of selecting the eight depots for the Run and is accepting applications from fleets wishing to participate through February. Fleets can find an application for the Run here.
Companies already have lined up to support the Run with PepsiCo committing to be an Executive Sponsor and Cummins and Shell signing on as Title Sponsors.
Run on Less -- Electric Depot will be an 18-month effort throughout this year and into next. The popular Electric Truck Bootcamp from Run on Less -- Electric will be returning for RoL-E DEPOT with 10 new sessions featuring approximately 50 experts from a variety of companies who will share their knowledge about scaling the adoption of electric vehicles. Registration for the free Bootcamp will open in mid-March and will be free to all those wishing to participate.
[Related: Battery-electric's trucking reality: Parking could 'get a whole lot worse']
