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Trump’s Transportation Secretary Announces Investigation into Deadly Florida Truck Crash, Shares Preliminary Findings
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Investigation will support Florida’s ongoing criminal proceedings
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy today announced the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has launched an investigation into the recent deadly Florida highway crash. The investigation will focus on the driver involved in the crash and the motor carrier, White Hawk Carriers, Inc. Preliminary results of the investigation have found when interviewed the driver did not speak English, and both Washington State and New Mexico violated FMCSA rules.
“If states had followed the rules, this driver would never have been behind the wheel and three precious lives would still be with us. This crash was a preventable tragedy directly caused by reckless decisions and compounded by despicable failures. Non-enforcement and radical immigration policies have turned the trucking industry into a lawless frontier, resulting in unqualified foreign drivers improperly acquiring licenses to operate 40-ton vehicles,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “We will use every tool at our disposal to hold these states and bad actors accountable. President Trump and I will restore safety to our roads. The families of the deceased deserve justice.”
FMCSA investigators began its on-site compliance investigation on August 14, 2025 at the motor carrier's premises in California. During the initial phase of the compliance investigation, investigators reviewed driver qualification files, obtained in-cab and forward-facing video footage of the crash, and conducted interviews with key personnel including the crash-involved driver.
During FMCSA’s interview with the driver, investigators administered an English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment in accordance with FMCSA guidance. The driver failed the assessment, providing correct responses to just 2 of 12 verbal questions and only accurately identifying 1 of 4 highway traffic signs.
Additional preliminary findings include:
On July 15th, 2023, Washington State issued the driver a regular full-term Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
Asylum seekers or individuals without legal status are NOT eligible for this type of license.
On July 23, 2024, California issued the driver a limited-term/non-domiciled CDL.
FMCSA is investigating the issuance of this license to determine whether it was issued in accordance with Federal regulations.
On July 3, 2025, the New Mexico State Police conducted a roadside inspection of the driver and issued a speeding ticket, but there is no indication that an ELP assessment was administered.
New Mexico has not yet begun enforcing ELP as an out-of-service condition, despite the requirement being in effect since June 25, 2025.
The Secretary has offered the Department’s full support to Florida officials, and FMCSA’s investigation will support the state’s ongoing criminal investigation.
Additional Information
Since taking office, Secretary Duffy has taken a number of actions to support American truckers and make our roadways safer.
In May, Secretary Duffy signed an order announcing new guidance to enforce English proficiency requirement for truckers.
In June, Secretary Duffy announced a unveiled a package of new initiatives, pilot programs, and regulatory updates designed to improve the lives of America’s truck drivers.
In June, Secretary Duffy also announced a nationwide audit into state practices in issuing non-domiciled CDLs.
https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-announces-investigation-deadly-florida-truck-crash