WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is initiating an investigation into a recent fatal highway accident in Florida.
The inquiry will target the driver involved in the incident as well as the motor carrier, White Hawk Carriers Inc. Early findings from the investigation reveal that the driver, when interviewed, did not speak English, and both Washington State and New Mexico have breached FMCSA regulations.
Preventable Tragedy
“Had states adhered to the regulations, this driver wouldn’t have been operating the vehicle, and three invaluable lives would still be with us,” stated Duffy. “This accident was entirely preventable, stemming from reckless choices and grievous failures. Lack of enforcement and extreme immigration policies have made the trucking sector resemble a lawless zone, allowing unqualified foreign drivers to improperly secure licenses for operating heavy vehicles. We will do everything in our power to hold these states and irresponsible entities accountable. President Trump and I are committed to restoring safety on our roads. The families of the victims deserve justice.”
FMCSA Investigation Preliminary Findings
FMCSA investigators commenced an on-site compliance investigation on August 14 at the motor carrier’s location in California. During this initial phase, they examined driver qualification records, acquired video footage of the crash from the cabin and the road ahead, and interviewed critical personnel, including the driver involved in the accident.
During their interview, the FMCSA conducted an English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment as per FMCSA guidelines. The driver did not pass, answering only 2 out of 12 verbal questions correctly and successfully identifying just 1 of 4 traffic signs.
Additional Preliminary Findings
Other initial findings include:
- On July 15, 2023, Washington State issued the driver a full-term Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), which is not available to asylum seekers or individuals without legal status.
- On July 23, 2024, California provided the driver with a limited-term/non-domiciled CDL. FMCSA is investigating whether this license was issued in accordance with Federal laws.
- On July 3, 2025, the New Mexico State Police issued a speeding ticket to the driver during a roadside inspection but did not perform an ELP assessment.
- New Mexico has yet to enforce the ELP requirement as a condition for being out-of-service, although it has been in effect since June 25.
The Secretary has pledged the Department’s full support to Florida officials, and the FMCSA’s investigation will assist the state’s ongoing criminal probe.
Driver-facing footage from the incident has circulated widely on social media and various news platforms. Below is a video that surfaced in a Reddit dashcam group.
[USA] [FL] Illegal U-turn by negligent truck driver in FL causes a car to crash into the load, killing a family of 3
byu/esporx indashcams
