FMCSA Declares New Jersey Truck Driver to be an Imminent Hazard

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has declared New Jersey-licensed commercial driver Quentin Campbell to be an imminent hazard to public safety, and in conjunction with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, has disqualified him from operating any commercial motor vehicle (CMV) for which a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is required.  Campbell was served the federal order on October 15, 2020.

On Sept. 4, 2020, Campbell was operating a tractor-trailer on Interstate 90 in Monroe County, New York, traveling westbound when he made an illegal U-turn and was struck by an eastbound passenger vehicle; both occupants of the passenger vehicle were killed.  Not stopping, Campbell instead completed the illegal U-turn and fled the scene.  He was subsequently arrested by New York State Police Officers and charged with two counts of manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of a fatal crash.

 FMCSA’s imminent hazard out-of-service order states that Campbell’s “blatant and egregious violations of the [federal safety regulations] and ongoing and repeated disregard for the safety of the motoring public … substantially increases the likelihood of serious injury or death to you and the motoring public.”

Failure to comply with the provisions of a federal imminent hazard out-of-service order may result in action by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for equitable relief and punitive damages.  Civil penalties of up to $1,848 may be assessed for each violation of operating a commercial motor vehicle in violation of the order.  Knowing and/or willful violation of the order may also result in criminal penalties.

Campbell also may be subject to a civil penalty enforcement proceeding brought by FMCSA for his violation of the Agency’s safety regulations.