2-14-24 —-U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy says that the trucking school and carriers of Bekzhan Beishekeev, the semi-truck driver involved in the Jay County crash that left four dead, have been ‘held accountable’.
According to the Department of Homeland Security’s website, Beishekeev has been taken to the Boone County Jail in Kentucky as of Friday.
AJ Partners, Same Express, and Tutash Express have been ‘knocked out of service’, and Aydana’s certification has been revoked.
This week Duffy issued a final rule to stop unqualified foreign drivers from obtaining licenses to drive commercial trucks and buses. These unqualified foreign drivers pose a significant safety threat to the driving public.
These reforms will address safety concerns by preventing foreign drivers who have not been subject to consular and interagency screening from receiving a commercial driver’s license (CDL). While U.S. drivers are subject to strict checks through national databases for past violations—such as DUIs, reckless driving, or crash involvement—states lack the ability to access the driving records of foreigners and illegal immigrants. This loophole allowed individuals with dangerous driving histories to obtain a trucking license simply by presenting an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which does not screen for transportation safety.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “
“For far too long, America has allowed dangerous foreign drivers to abuse our truck licensing systems – wreaking havoc on our roadways. This safety loophole ends today. Moving forward, unqualified foreign drivers will be unable to get a license to operate an 80,000-pound big rig. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are putting the safety of the driving public first. From enforcing English language standards to holding fraudulent carriers accountable, we will continue to attack this crisis on our roads head on.”
FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs
“A critical safety gap allowed unqualified drivers with unknown driving histories to get behind the wheel of commercial vehicles. We are closing that gap today to ensure that only qualified, vetted drivers are operating on our nation’s roadways. If we cannot verify your safe driving history, you cannot hold a CDL in this country.”
Related:
Mercer County Outlook 