Unlicensed, Uninsured Truck Driver Causes Major Crash on I-5 in Washington

A recent crash involving a big rig car carrier on northbound I-5 in Lacey, Washington, was caused by a driver lacking a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and insurance, according to Washington State Patrol (WSP). The incident occurred just before 7:30 AM and resulted in a chain reaction accident involving multiple vehicles, including a school bus, blocking several lanes for over two and a half hours and sending three people to the hospital. The driver, Juan Hernandez-Santos from Mexico, was booked for violating Washington state laws requiring a valid CDL. This event highlights ongoing challenges in CDL verification and enforcement, especially involving non-domicile drivers. WSP does not engage in immigration enforcement but continues investigation with limited public information released. Washington’s Department of Licensing (DOL) is actively responding to federal regulatory changes from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regarding the issuance of non-domicile CDLs. The FMCSA recently introduced interim final rules tightening eligibility requirements, enhancing verification through the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system, and eliminating reliance solely on Employment Authorization Documents for CDL issuance and renewal. These measures aim to improve compliance and public safety by ensuring all commercial drivers meet stringent licensing criteria. This Lacey incident follows similar concerns raised earlier in the year when another unlicensed truck driver caused a fatal crash in Florida after being issued a CDL in Washington. As a result, Washington has paused issuance of non-domicile CDLs pending alignment with FMCSA standards. The FMCSA has also removed nearly 3,000 CDL training providers from its registry for compliance deficiencies, signaling increased federal scrutiny over commercial driver training and licensing. These developments underscore the importance of accurate licensing verification in mitigating roadway risks associated with commercial drivers. They also point to broader regulatory efforts to enhance oversight of non-domicile drivers operating in U.S. jurisdictions. Insurance professionals should monitor these evolving compliance frameworks, as they impact liability exposure, risk management, and underwriting standards in commercial vehicle policies. Increased enforcement and training quality improvements could reduce accident frequency attributable to unqualified operators. The collision’s details, including lack of insurance and licensing, have significant implications for claims handling and insurer exposure in multi-vehicle crashes involving commercial trucks. Insurers, regulators, and law enforcement agencies are collaborating to tighten controls and ensure adherence to CDL standards to promote highway safety and protect insured interests. In summary, the Lacey crash is part of a broader context of regulatory tightening affecting commercial driver licensing, training provider accountability, and cross-jurisdictional compliance. Ongoing federal and state efforts to enforce stricter verification protocols and improve training standards reflect a systematic approach to enhancing safety and reducing insurance losses tied to commercial vehicle operations.