Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, April 8, 2025:
Proficient Auto Logistics acquires Brothers Auto Transport
Jacksonville, Florida-based Proficient Auto Logistics (PAL) announced last week the successful acquisition of Brothers Auto Transport, LLC, a well-established carrier based in Wind Gap, Pennsylvania. This transaction strategically expands PAL’s fleet, base of talented company drivers, and strengthens its presence in key northeastern markets, the company said.
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Founded in 1996, Brothers Auto Transport brings new, and expands existing, OEM partnerships in PAL’s portfolio, further enhancing service capabilities and customer reach. With a strong track record of profitability, operational excellence, and reputation in the industry, Brothers Auto Transport’s expertise fits with PAL’s philosophy and supports PAL’s continued growth.
“This acquisition is an important milestone in our growth strategy,” said Richard O’Dell, Chief Executive Officer of Proficient Auto Logistics. “Brothers Auto Transport has built a well-run, profitable business with deep-rooted OEM relationships. The operational and geographic synergies between our companies will allow us to provide a higher level of service to our customers while elevating our presence in the Northeast. While this transaction is smaller than prior acquisitions, we expect the business to be accretive immediately, proportional to its size, and positioned to contribute to PAL’s long-term financial and operational objectives.”
The Brothers acquisition increases PAL’s fleet capacity by 13%, while integrating experienced drivers and operational and support management personnel into its team.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Brothers Auto Transport,” said Don Carney, former owner of Brothers. “Joining Proficient Auto Logistics allows Brothers to leverage additional resources, expand reach, and continue delivering the high-quality service customers expect. We look forward to the road ahead.”
NTSB: Speed, unsecured manhole cover led to fatal rollover crash, I-95 bridge collapse
Speeding and an open manhole cover on the involved tanker trailer were the primary factors that led to a June 2023 fatal rollover crash that resulted in a fire and the collapse of an I-95 bridge in Philadelphia, according to a final report issued last month by the National Transportation Safety Board.
This northbound view of the crash site shows the exit ramp where the tanker truck overturned and caught fire, resulting in the collapse of a section of I-95.NTSB
In the crash, a tractor-trailer operated by Nathan Moody, who drove for Penn Tank Lines affiliate TK Transport, exited I-95 and rolled over during a left-hand turn onto Cottman Avenue, spilling gasoline and igniting a fire that led to the collapse of the I-95 overpass.
During its investigation, NTSB determined Moody’s truck was traveling between 44 and 54 mph, which was well above the posted advisory speed limit of 25 mph. The agency also found that the manhole cover for the forwardmost compartment of the truck’s tanker trailer was open when the truck rolled over, allowing gasoline to quickly spill, “likely initiating the post-crash fire and enabling it to spread quickly,” NTSB noted.
Federal regulations require closing and securing manhole covers, and a missing or unsecured manhole cover constitutes a Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance out-of-service order. NTSB said its review of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration violations over the last 10 years found that approximately 19 such violations occur per year.
NTSB’s investigation also concluded that fatigue could have been a contributing factor to both of the above factors in the crash. Moody’s schedule delivering fuel was from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. Phone records indicated that during Moody’s off days, he reverted to a daytime schedule, as records showed texting and calling between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
“The driver’s lack of alertness to the exit ramp advisory speed and loss of control of his vehicle suggest that he may have been fatigued when the crash occurred,” NTSB said. “His neglect of the task of securing the open manhole at the front of the cargo tank -- despite being adjacent to it on multiple occasions while picking up and dropping off gasoline during his shift -- also suggests potential fatigue, particularly because the noise caused by air exiting the manhole compartment while he was loading it with fuel would have been obvious to a driver who was fully alert.”
NTSB also highlighted that the truck involved in the crash, a 2017 International manufactured in 2016, was not equipped with electronic stability control (ESC), which has been required on trucks with a GVWR greater than 26,000 pounds since 2019. NTSB simulations indicated that an ESC system could have helped to prevent the rollover in this crash at any of the speeds in the 44–54 mph range at which the truck was traveling.
[Related: Truck driver in I-95 bridge collapse lost control before crash, NTSB says]
Great Dane recalling trailers equipped with recalled Bridgestone tires
Great Dane Trailers is recalling certain 2025-‘26 Champion dry van trailers that are equipped with Bridgestone R123 Ecopia tires, size 295/75R22.5, which were recently recalled themselves.
As reported with Bridgestone’s recall, approximately 1,185 of the tires may have been manufactured incorrectly with one of the three stabilizer ply belts applied in the wrong orientation.
As such, approximately 16 Great Dane trailers equipped with the tires fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 119, "New pneumatic tires - other than passenger cars."
Bridgestone dealers will replace the tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 27. Owners can contact Bridgestone customer service at 1-800-847-3272 or Great Dane customer service at 1-877-369-3493. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall number is 25V-200.
[Related: Bridgestone recalling Ecopia trailer tire]
