TruckingIndustry.news

NTSB Says Truck Driver's Fatigue and Drug Use Were Factors In Crash That Killed Six

by Jana Ritter - Published: 10/05/2016

After determining that fatigue and methamphetamine use were reasons behind Benjamin Brewer's failure to slow down and causing a multi-vehicle accident that killed six people in June of 2015, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has now issued seven new safety recommendations. The safety issues pertain to findings related to the truck driver’s performance, drug testing programs, inadequacies of driver license records and background checks, and the overrepresentation of trucks compared to other vehicles in work zone crashes.

                                                             Bradley Brewer in court

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The tragic accident occurred on June 25, 2015 when Benjamin Brewer of London, Kentucky was driving a semi tractor-trailer operated by Cool Runnings Express and traveling northbound on Interstate 75 near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Brewer failed to notice he was entering a marked work-zone where traffic had slowed ahead of him and instead of slowing, he crashed into the backed up traffic at an estimated highway speed of 80 mph. The semi slammed the rear of a Toyota Prius and started a chain-reaction crash that involved seven other vehicles and a total of 18 people. Six of those people lost their lives as a result of his error.

This week, the NTSB released the results of it’s crash investigation, which brought damning allegations against Brewer who is still awaiting trial on vehicular manslaughter charges. First, the investigation determined that he did not slow down from a speed of about 80 mph despite ample warnings that he was approaching a construction zone with a 55-mph limit. They also found no indication of heavy braking or any evasive efforts to avoid the collision. Even worse, is that Brewer's post-accident drug test indicated illegal methamphetamine use prior to the crash, and the NTSB ruled the effects of the drug had degraded his driving performance. The report also determined that although Brewer had the opportunity to get sufficient overnight rest before that day on the job, he had likely gone without sustained rest for 40 hours prior to the accident.

                                                            Brewer caused crash that killed 6

“Our investigation reveals how this driver’s choices and actions, in the days and hours before the crash, led to the crash and loss of life,” said NTSB Chairman Christopher A. Hart. “Ending impairment in transportation and reducing fatigue-related accidents are on the NTSB’s Most Wanted List because fatigue and impairment have led to so many tragic outcomes – not only in commercial trucking but in all modes of transportation,” he added.

The NTSB also pointed to its December 2015 recommendation to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to determine the prevalence of the use of impairing substances by commercial motor vehicle operators and the failure of the pre-employment screening process to identify driver risk factors. They indicated that in this incident the truck driver’s employer, Cool Runnings Express, did not have the truck driver’s entire driving history, including previous accidents, which limited its ability to assess his safety performance and potential risk before hiring him for the job. The company’s employee screening process also failed to determine that Brewer had been fired from a previous trucking job two years earlier because of illegal drug use. A hair test administered under an unrelated court order less than three months before the crash had also turned out positive for meth.

The NTSB report also stressed that the number of trucks involved in fatal crashes in work zones is much higher than other vehicles involved in fatal crashes in work zones and reiterated the agency's September 2015 recommendation to the Federal Highway Administration to add supplemental traffic control strategies and devices for work zone projects.


Roy Stewart
Roy Stewart
Another wannabe trucker who got past the industry's checks and got behind the wheel if an 18 wheeler and instead of being a professional turned out to be a drug raved killer! I don't blame him I blame the system that allowed him to drive an 18 wheeler. He had no business driving any vehicle. Yet he was allowed to have the keys to a machine that requires a level head, good skills, and good judgement and according to this report he had none of these! Someone somewhere should have denied him the right to drive. Instead they didn't stop him and now it's too late. 6 people dead, many more injured and terrorized by the trauma, equipment and cars damage or destroyed and all of this preventable.
Terry Perrott
Terry Perrott
This driver made two bad decisions that unfortunately people lost there lives. He's gotta live with for the rest of his life. I drove OTR for 4 years & never once did I make any of these bad decisions. What about the dumb ass four wheelers that cut us off ??? That some times causes there life. Or tailgating a truck & slam in the back of the trailer. .... It's all of us drivers of trucks & four wheelers about making right choices out on the road. ...
Shirley Dale High
Shirley Dale High
I blame his company for not checking him out.
Shirley Dale High
Shirley Dale High
Terry Perrott see trucks tailgate each other. Scares the crap out of me.
Eric L Mitchell
Eric L Mitchell
As a driver for 20 years. I think there needs to be a rule where if you test positive for an illegal drug. It is immediately reported to the drivers state that issued the license. And it is suspended right then and there!
Foshodo Jenkins
Foshodo Jenkins
They do Eric L Mitchell. Lol
Jim Clark
Jim Clark
And the sad part is, he still gets these some title as professional driver that you or I would
Robert Westra
Robert Westra
I blame him
Tony Hanson
Tony Hanson
Like any other "law" being made, it's over kill. Using one individuals actions against millions isn't fair or just. He broke laws and people lost lives and he'll be punished for his choices. But that doesn't mean you start making extra laws because of one person's actions. That's a form of discrimination. Enforcement of existing laws is more than enough already!
Justin Bozek
Justin Bozek
I agree but also how in so many cases these companies are getting away with murder for how they are pushing their drivers including paying by mile so in many cases a driver has to push the limits just to generate some profit. The entire system is rigged against the driver hey we got these dumbass dispatchers pushing us on every load hurry hurry hurry but if I get in one accident they kick my ass out the door can hire some other idiot that doesn't know any better
Tony Hanson
Tony Hanson
Making more rules and laws isn't going to get you paid more money. It will only lower your earning potential. My suggestion, don't work for a carrier who is running cheap freight. There are many many variables in how things have gotten so bad in trucking. Number one is inexperienced drivers who don't know their value. Over the road drivers should be making a hundred thousand dollars a year at least plus benefits because of their responsibility, literally living on the road and sacrifice from being away from their families. Weather extremes. Equipment and maintenance these days is extremely expensive. How many drivers have you seen who can barely speak English? Do you think they are making a decent living? No. They are working cheap as f***! Brokers and monster corporations take advantage of that, knowing that they'll work for peanuts. So instead of charging more, they govern the trucks and skimp on equipment. They'll give the driver satellite radio and TV and expect them to live in it for weeks on end and pay him or her peanuts. Like any career or job, the more you put into it (I.E. in trucking, loads miles) the more prosperous you will be. However, they are trying to jam so many laws up our ass that it's literally impossible to combat the low freight rates with extra hard work because we are"not allowed". So you say, pay us by the hour. Okay great, but you still have to perform. If the government is going to be up our ass for driving a slow speed and low hours and brand new environmentally friendly expensive equipment, then there needs to be a minimum pay standard as well. All trucks should be making a minimum of $3.50 for every single mile. Your fortunate to be making $2 a mile right now. With the unreliable new emissions friendly equipment there needs to be a clean air surcharge as well. It's a huge expense that the trucking companies cannot "just" absorb. Anyway cheap rates and low pay are the foundation for what's wrong with the industry. All saftey issues stem from poverty level pay (anything below $3.50 a mile to the truck) excessive hours, poor maintenance, recapped tires, overweight loads and on and on. The only reason that's ever been done is so a guy can actually make a living for all the time sacrificed.
Gary Steffan
Gary Steffan
All the truck drivers should be off the road they are all rednecks, drinking drug addicts, and we don't need them , band them from your cities and town and we might have a chance to live another day!! BRING BACK MY TRAIN!
Larry Peterson
Larry Peterson
What a Moron. Everything you use daily. Came by truck. Go live in the woods. Act like a cave man
Dan Baughman
Dan Baughman
Cant wait for that train to deliver the groceries to your favorite store. Tell me how long you had to wait. Or when you order something on line for overnight. Let me know if you got it the next day by your train. Do us a favor and put yourself out of misery. We cant take stupid anymore.
Dan Baughman
Dan Baughman
Or when you want to fill your car up with gas and there isnt any. The guy at the station says he is waiting for the train to deliver the next load.
Eric L Mitchell
Eric L Mitchell
lol he is trolling, look at his profile.
Michael Vinson
Michael Vinson
Can't wait for your train to breakdown and need trucks to bring the parts.... I see trucks on the road every day carrying various railroad equipment.
Gary Steffan
Gary Steffan
It's coming back in I'm transporting rail turnouts right now!!!
John Fitzgerald
John Fitzgerald
FUCK YOU
Darrell Golden
Darrell Golden
You sir are a complete idiot
Tony Sr Ahlers
Tony Sr Ahlers
Gary Steffan wouldn't make a pimple on a truck drivers ass.
Reese Tassin Sr.
Reese Tassin Sr.
Hillary supporter. Gary steffan
Randy Robinson
Randy Robinson
Like the train recently that was traveling twice the speed limit,the one you know where the stoned engineer apply brakes one second before impact with a crowded station and platform. Guess what,that engineer will be delivering via truck to a Wal-Mart near you in a couple months
Mark Miller
Mark Miller
You people do realize that common cold medications can cause a positive result on a drug test don't you.before you jump on me I'm definitely not defending this scumbag just stating facts.
John Spencer
John Spencer
I've heard the same thing.
JR Ramer
JR Ramer
Yep
Rebecca Hubbard
Rebecca Hubbard
Most common cold medications have instructions that tell you not to operate Machinery or drive while taking it also.
Mark Miller
Mark Miller
They say to be careful.in most cases they don't say don't drive at all.the point is its very easy to get a false reading for meth.
Robert Westra
Robert Westra
I never had cold medicine make me drive 80 mph in a construction zone and if it happens I'll cut the dosage to 45 mph
Alton Hill
Alton Hill
Let's shut the trucks down. We are out here bursting our behinds off to make sure the plants factory schools. Ect have work an supplies each day. Yeah it make a driver feel stupid running all night 10 min late get talked sh t to rescheduled for two days later. by some fool because he's mad with his ole lady
Kate Campbell
Kate Campbell
Stupid ignorant fool. He sure doesn't help make good truckers look any better. And all those poor people. I hope he doesn't get out of prison.
Randy Robinson
Randy Robinson
I'm just poking at this but look at the ad posted, here is a problem, obama made way for this. So many only have a 90 day work visa,if any actual documents at all.Fake driver's license (cdl), Look at this:
Randy Robinson
Randy Robinson
Hardly any train engineers over 35 that aren't on bp medications, most are out of shape, don't sleep on there down time, spend galf of that time a bar or grab a 12 pack on the way to the room if the van driver will stop
Juan Huerta
Juan Huerta
Some of us take pride in what we do. Do not judge all because the actions of a few!
Shirley Dale High
Shirley Dale High
At the same time don't judge all 4 wheelers because of a few idiots.
Matt Kelley
Matt Kelley
Oh it's not just a few lady... it's 90% that drive like idiots.
Shirley Dale High
Shirley Dale High
That's because 7 out of 10 trucks don't slow down for the posted speed limit.
Michael Higgins
Michael Higgins
20 out 40 don't slow down for the speed limit. Cutting us off that scares me.
Shirley Dale High
Shirley Dale High
You mean trucks?
David Britton
David Britton
7 out of 10 trucks are not capable of even doing the speed limit.
Shirley Dale High
Shirley Dale High
Wasn't this about slowing down in construction. When it says 55 slow your frigging ass down. AND YES David they can do 55. Sheez
Dusty Duncan
Dusty Duncan
And I suppose cars never do any wrong
Shirley Dale High
Shirley Dale High
I didn't say that. This isn't about a 4 wheeler. It's about a stupid trucker who didn't slow down. They are getting worse as far as wrecks in construction with big trucks. YOUR LIFE isn't worth speeding in a work zone. Sheez
Larry Peterson
Larry Peterson
I've driven truck for 42yrs. I blame these mega fleets. Mass producing drivers. Turning them out on there own after 28days. That is not enough training . To me no one should train another. Without at least 10yrs of safe driving. Seen too many fresh out of trucker training school. Training another. When they've not hardly capable . Ridiculous . I blame the mega fleets
Robert Westra
Robert Westra
Where did you find your info 7 out of 10 ?
Jason Scheidel
Jason Scheidel
That's funny, cuz anytime I've come up to a construction zone it's the 4-wheelers that speed threw the construction zone not the big trucks.
Shawn Hutchison
Shawn Hutchison
Jason Scheidel ,i was just thinking the same thing..
Shirley Dale High
Shirley Dale High
Well guess your not where I am and I travel the US everyday. Had them blowing their horn, flashing their lights at me. And flip me off.
Shirley Dale High
Shirley Dale High
Robert Westra , trying to be nice. With all new drivers that have no clue how to drive.
Bill Keene
Bill Keene
So I guess if one guy did that than all drivers are like that. Let's ban trucks from the highway or better yet build them their own roads.
Gerad Awalt
Gerad Awalt
Oh yes,pass the ELD,I bet know one will ever take meth again!!!Idiots🙈🙈
Fred Ingles
Fred Ingles
Mandatory drug screening is a joke. Put them back in the scales so those who do drugs get tf outa truckin. This is not a game out here if you don't take it seriously it'll take your life.
Douglas Leftwich
Douglas Leftwich
Drugs and trucking don't mix! They will make an example of this idiot. Unfortunately people had to die and it is tragic.
Jeremy Winslow
Jeremy Winslow
Ahhh yes... 2+ million drivers and yet they bade the entire industry off 1 fuck up...
David Bright
David Bright
So what is Justin a poster.boy for ? A man with a small brain and a big mouth !
Michael Purtee
Michael Purtee
Dont think fatigue had any role in it. But nice way to push hard for elds
Justin Hoke
Justin Hoke
Lol at everyone claiming he's not the poster child for truck drivers. YES HE IS, get the fuck over it!
Michael Purtee
Michael Purtee
So we r all crack heads?
Christopher Colberg
Christopher Colberg
Michael Purtee, I think meth head is the appropriate title
David Britton
David Britton
Most of us are drug tested and run electronic logs. Drivers nowadays probably have a lower drug use percentage than most other trades.
Raymond Mesecher
Raymond Mesecher
Neither one of you know what your talking about !!! More uneducated people giving there input about something they know nothing about !!!
Tony Sr Ahlers
Tony Sr Ahlers
Oh boy Justin (dumb fuck) Hoke works for a carnival and he is going to talk shit about truck drivers! Wow.
Chris Wilson
Chris Wilson
The actions of an individual doesn't condemn the actions of many. Guilt by association is an illogical fallacy that many politicians use to manipulate people.
Johnny Schuett
Johnny Schuett
Great!!! Now we get to pay for this nitwits sins. Punish the good drivers for the sins of the bad, that's the government slogan
Shannon Rowe
Shannon Rowe
Another crack head making it hard for the rest of us!
Sim Taylor
Sim Taylor
This man should be CRUCIFIED. IMMEDIATELY.
Brad Davis
Brad Davis
Exactly why they treat us the way they do.
Brian Workman
Brian Workman

Miguel Gonzalez
Miguel Gonzalez
Smmfh
Mike Van Der Mallie
Mike Van Der Mallie
This is why we need tougher laws and elogs
Tony Sr Ahlers
Tony Sr Ahlers
You moron there are more e log trucks in accidents than paper log trucks. Wake up! Do you think a machine is going to make them pay attention ? No. It's brains that they don't use.
David Perry
David Perry
I agree Mike. I'm sure he was a paper logger. Been driving 16 hours+ Na man, I'm not tired.
Sandra Wheat Postnikoff
Sandra Wheat Postnikoff
It's not right to base anything on someone like that. It's a miniscule % of drivers that are extremely fucked up. They should not represent the rest of us
Terry Perrott
Terry Perrott
I know two drivers that use to drive that ran two log books took drugs to stay awake. They stopped before they did something like this. They don't drive any more because it took its toll on them health wise.
Larry Peterson
Larry Peterson
Lol Terry. In the old school days of trucking. Most of these newbies that can't run a calculator need a computer to get them up to be on time. Wouldnt of been hired..now days it stupidty of wrecks on dry ground.Or refuse to shift a transmission . So they have to have automstics. Elogs isn't the answer. It's common sense. I've seen ppl saying if a truck didn't have a refrigerator. They'd not drive it. Bunch of panty wastes of drivers. Companies pick ppl that don't drink . They know will pass. They know who flunk. Yet we see this crap . I use to get picked alot for randoms. The drunks never did.
Eric L Mitchell
Eric L Mitchell
For those of you who say E logs are the answer. I agree that it's guys like this, that give this industry I love a black eye. But what about all those companies who run E logs and have high accident rates? Like Swift...
Alton Hill
Alton Hill
It's unbelievable the things 4 wheelers will do. No respect cutting trks off. and will challenge you. They know 90% of the time the truck Will be charged. Not matter what. $$$$ signs flash
Stephen Johnson
Stephen Johnson
Hang 'em
Dawn Banach
Dawn Banach
It's the fault of the regulators. You use to be able to pull over and take a nap if you needed to and it wouldn't be held against you. Now you get only 30 minutes off in an 8 hour period and anything past that is held against your day. So then a lot of drivers drink coffee etc to try to stay awake when a nap would be better. Then when they have their 10 hours off duty their bodies don't relax as good because they are full of caffeine etc used to stay awake. Then they don't sleep as well as they should and then they have to get back on the road. It was so much nicer when if you were tired you could pull over and nap and it was not held against you to meet your delivery time. Everyone's body is different. When drivers are fatigued because they have been driving for 7.5 hours straight, then get 30 minutes off, and then can come back and drive another 3.5 it can be very hard. Some need a regular nap. But once you start your day you are on the clock for 14. Then in your 10 hours off you need to eat, shower, etc and maybe even drive home and back to work and your required to be back after the 10 hours. Drivers are adults. They know when their bodies have had enough and should be allowed to rest as needed without penalty.
James W Brock Jr.
James W Brock Jr.
Just many on the actions of one ! Typical
Jesus Brito Jr.
Jesus Brito Jr.
With 21yrs of driving experience, I have seen pretty much everything.. I have driven for leagal companies, as well as illegal companies.. Everybody in the trucking industry is in it for the MONEY.. Companies as well as drivers.. You can say what you want as to why you became a trucker.. But on pay day driver, its all about the money.. Even police officers leave one department to go to another for better pay.. ITS ALL BUSINESS MAN.. And trust me, the dam train and air freight will NEVER replace trucks..
Patrick Lucas
Patrick Lucas
Here we go with the driver fatigue bs. If he was on dope the fry his ass
Larry Peterson
Larry Peterson
No jail time. Give him death like he gave the others