U.S. Department of Transportation Orders Demco Express to Shut Down - Cites “Imminent Hazard to Public Safety”

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) ordered Texas-based Denny Mekenye, doing business as Demco Express and/or Demco Trans, Inc. to immediately cease all transportation services based on serious safety violations that posed an imminent hazard to public safety.

FMCSA shut down Demco following an extensive review of the company’s operations that uncovered multiple federal safety violations in the areas of drivers’ hours-of-service compliance, driver qualifications, and drug testing requirements.

“We will not let trucking companies that put motorists at risk operate on our nation’s roadways. Safety must come first,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

FMCSA immediately put Demco and its vehicles out of service after safety investigators found a range of safety infractions that substantially increased the likelihood of serious injury to the traveling public. For example, investigators discovered that the company falsified drivers’ records of duty status, allowed its drivers to operate with commercial driver’s licenses that had been suspended, revoked, or disqualified and did not conduct proper controlled substances testing of its drivers. In addition, within the last 12 months, 10 of Demco’s drivers have been placed out of service for not being licensed to drive.

“FMCSA is raising the bar to stay in the trucking and bus industry,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “Safety cannot be compromised. Adhere to the safety regulations, or you will be shut down.”

A copy of the imminent hazard out-of-service order can be viewed at FMCSA DOCUMENT REPOSITORY.

Demco Express as most of you know was the employer of US trucker Jabin Bogan, who was arrested in Cd Juarez Mexico a month ago after “mistakenly” crossing the Bridge of the Americas with 268,000 rounds of military grade (NATO) ammunition.

Bogan remains jailed in a federal prison in Vera Cruz Mexico while he appeals his indictment.

We can only wonder at this latest development will factor into Mekenye’s continued support of Bogan, lame as it was. Had Bogan not have made his “mistake”, Demco would probably have continued to slip under the radar until a serious fatality accident brought them to the attention of FMCSA.

More information as it comes available.