Trucking news and briefs for Friday, April 24, 2026:
- FMCSA chief puts boots on the ground for inspections.
- PPP loan fraud: former fleet owner guilty
- Trucking shows up big for St. Christopher Fund.
FMCSA boss joins Georgia inspection officers
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration chief Derek Barrs recently joined Georgia enforcement officials during the state’s Operation SafeDRIVE initiative.
“The focus of Operation SafeDRIVE centered around targeting unsafe drivers and driving behaviors while reinforcing a safe and reliable transportation network,” Georgia Department of Public Safety said April 23 in a Facebook post.
Georgia DPS said its SafeDRIVE effort took place during the week of April 13-17, but a larger effort took place across 26 states in January, according to prior reporting.
Barrs joined Georgia DPS Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Major Andrew Montgomery for an aerial overview of enforcement operations, then joined the Monroe County Inspection Stations, where he worked alongside CVE officers during traffic stops, inspections, and a demonstration of the CVE K-9 program.
Results of Georgia’s Operation SafeDRIVE:
- Total CMVs inspected: 454
- Level I inspections: 113
- Level II inspections: 32
- Level III inspections: 372
- Out-of-service drivers: 88
- Out-of-service vehicles: 51
- Moving violation inspections: 296
- English Language Proficiency violations: 1
- Arrests: 3 (Drug Possession, Contraband Possession, DUI)
Find results from the larger 26-state effort earlier this year via this link.
Former trucking company owner pleads guilty to COVID loan fraud
Mark Crosby, 43, the former owner of Crosby Auto LLC and MSC & Sons Trucking LLC, has entered a guilty plea for wire fraud with a scheme to obtain two Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP) loans totaling $92,233.32, guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Crosby, of Kansas City, Missouri, admitted to submitting a $71,417 PPP loan application on behalf of Crosby Auto. In the 2020-filed loan application, Crosby falsely stated that, in 2019, Crosby Auto had a monthly payroll of $28,567, and gross receipts of $736,928. In reality, Crosby Auto did not have that payroll or annual revenue.
Based on the PPP loan application, on June 2, 2020, $71,400 was transferred to the company's bank account.
Additionally, MSC & Sons Trucking LLC applied for a $20,833.32 PPP loan. The application stated the business had gross income of more than $130K in 2019. It included a 2019 Schedule C which stated gross receipts of $131,848, and contract labor expense of $69,129. The Schedule C was not filed with the IRS, and MSC & Sons Trucking did not have gross receipts or payroll in those amounts.
On May 5, 2021, MSC & Sons Trucking account received the $20,833.32 PPP loan.
Under federal statutes, Crosby is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole.
[Related: Trucking crime: Illegal export of snakes, loan fraud]
SCF raised more than $10K at MATS
The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF) raised more than $10,000 during the 2026 Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS), thanks to strong participation from industry volunteers in its annual Silent Auction and generous donations collected at its booth throughout the show, including a donation back to SCF of 50/50 winnings from professional driver Steve Jones.
Held March 26-28 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, MATS brought together thousands of trucking professionals, exhibitors, and industry partners, many of whom played a role in supporting SCF’s mission to provide financial assistance and health and wellness resources to over-the-road drivers facing illness or injury.
A centerpiece of the fundraising effort was the annual Silent Auction, hosted during the MATS Opening Night Reception, which was sponsored by Triumph. The event featured a wide range of donated items and experiences, drawing bidding from attendees and reinforcing the trucking community’s commitment to its drivers.
“This year’s response from the industry was incredible,” said Courtney Niemann, Executive Director of SCF. “From auction donors and bidders to those who stopped by our booth to contribute and our corporate partners, the level of generosity we saw at MATS speaks volumes about how deeply this community cares for its drivers. Every dollar raised helps us provide critical support to truckers and their families during some of the most challenging times in their lives.”
In addition to the auction, SCF collected donations directly from attendees and exhibitors at its booth throughout the three-day show, including a prize wheel donated by Konexial and Progressive Insurance, further contributing to the overall fundraising total. Additional donations were also made by corporate partners and sponsors.
“Professional drivers are essential to keeping our country running, yet many lack a safety net when unexpected health issues arise,” said Norita Taylor, SCF Board President and Communications Strategist at OOIDA. “The success of this year’s fundraising efforts at MATS shows what’s possible when our industry rallies together to support those who keep America moving. We’d also like to thank the organizers of the Mid-American Trucking Show for their support.”
