Last Week's I-10 Crash in California Left at Least Two Dead
Allegedly undocumented CDL holders keep giving USDOT more reasons to push to revoke massive numbers of non-domiciled CDLs. The latest crash involved a 21-year-old truck driver who slammed into the back of an SUV and caused a chain-reaction crash involving seven other vehicles, including two other semis, near Ontario, California last week.
The California-based driver, who had been issued his CDL just days before causing the crash, was arrested and charged with driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter. The truck’s dash cam caught actual footage of the tractor-trailer slamming into the back of an SUV.
Almost immediately, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy issued a renewed call condemning California’s (and other states’) failure to follow federal law in issuing non-domiciled CDLs. DOT has already withheld $40 million in federal highway funds from California and promises to withhold more if the State doesn’t clean up its licensing practices.
ICSA urges its members to be sure its drivers holding non-domiciled CDLs are in the country legally. Otherwise, members are at risk for losing undocumented drivers, or worse yet, being responsible for another horrific crash.
In March, ICSA’s executive director Shawn Nelson was privileged to attend the annual conference for the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA). Truckload 2026 was packed with information that ICSA is committed to bringing back to its members.
Safety is a priority not just because it prevents accidents; it also helps make a carrier profitable. Every smart decision behind the wheel can save lives and reduces costs.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a Final Rule, effective March 16, 2026, on non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses – CDLs held by foreign-domiciled truck drivers operating in the U.S.