Randall J. Weddle courtesy Knox County Sheriff's office.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has declared a Greenville, Tennessee truck driver to be an imminent hazard to public safety and has ordered him not to operate any commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce. According to investigators, 54-year-old Randall J. Weddle was driving under the influence of alcohol and driving 80 miles-per-hour in a posted 55 miles-per-hour speed limit zone.

On March 18, 2016, Weddle was operating a large commercial truck for Tennessee-based R&E Logistics, Inc. While traveling in Knox County, Maine, the trailer portion of Weddle's rig crossed the centerline, tipped over, and began scattering its load of lumber across the roadway.

As the truck and trailer and its load of lumber continued to slide down the roadway at a high rate of speed, a pick-up truck, an SUV, and a minivan, in turn, were struck. The pick-up truck was crushed, killing its driver. The collision with the SUV caused it to roll over once before it collided with another vehicle. The minivan hit by Weddle's truck was also partially buried under the lumber load; a fire ensued, engulfing the minivan. The sole occupant of the minivan was killed. Two additional crash victims were airlifted to the hospital.

A field sobriety test conducted on Weddle by Maine State Police at the scene of the crash detected the presence of alcohol. State Police also found a bottle of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky in Weddle's truck.

Investigators also discovered that at the time of the crash, Weddle's CDL had been revoked by the state of Virginia for a conviction of driving while intoxicated.

Investigators further found that Weddle was in violation of multiple federal hours-of-service regulations, which are designed to prevent fatigued driving.

Before departing on the March 18, 2016, trip, a family member joined Weddle as an unauthorized passenger, in violation of federal regulation.

Weddle also may be subject to a civil penalty enforcement proceeding brought by FMCSA for his violation of the agency's safety regulations.