Cab Full of Empties Lands Trucker in Jail
Several trucking-related incidents involving alleged drug smuggling, vehicle theft, cargo theft and impaired driving have drawn attention, including the escape of a convicted murderer who authorities say stole a truck in Tennessee and a New Hampshire traffic stop that led to the discovery of 170 beer bottles.
Escaped Tennessee inmate allegedly stole truck
Authorities in Tennessee are searching for Jacob Allen Morley, a 28-year-old convicted murderer who allegedly escaped from a state prison in northwest Tennessee and stole a truck.
Officials said Morley escaped through the prison’s fence late Sunday night. Surveillance footage released by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation reportedly showed him taking a white 2008 Ford F-350 on Monday.
Authorities said Morley may have traveled into southern Illinois before abandoning the truck. The search remained active as officials worked to determine his whereabouts.
New Hampshire truck stop leads to DUI arrest
A traffic complaint in New Hampshire led to the arrest of a truck driver on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Police responded after receiving reports that a tractor-trailer was blocking several school buses. During the investigation, officers found approximately 170 beer bottles inside the truck’s cab.
The driver was arrested and charged with DUI. The available information did not indicate whether the bottles were full or whether additional charges were filed.
Canadian authorities charge driver in alleged drug-smuggling case
A 47-year-old commercial driver is facing drug-trafficking charges after authorities allegedly found illicit drugs in the truck and trailer he was driving near the Canada-U.S. border in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
Authorities allege the driver attempted to smuggle 52 bricks of cocaine and heroin across the border last year. The investigation involved Canadian law enforcement and the Canada Border Services Agency.
A senior police official said the case demonstrated the impact of coordinated efforts to intercept drugs entering Canada through land-border crossings.
Other reported trucking incidents
In Philadelphia, six men allegedly stole approximately 3,000 pounds of frozen snow crab from a tractor-trailer while the driver, identified as Marty Muriuki, slept in the cab.
Separately, a report connected rising trucking insurance costs with expensive litigation, including cases in which carriers were not involved in a crash. Additional details about the report and the cases were not provided.
