Trucking news and briefs for Monday, March 16, 2026:
Truck driver arrested in Kentucky after fatal, illegal U-turn
The Kentucky State Police (KSP) is investigating a fatal collision that was the result of an illegal U-turn by a tractor-trailer on March 7 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, eerily similar to the triple-fatal crash in Florida last summer that ignited the U.S. Department of Transportation’s non-domiciled CDL crackdown.
According to a police report obtained by CCJ, the Christian County (Kentucky) Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a reckless driver at the 86 milemarker of I-24 Westbound. The vehicle was described as a black tractor-trailer “all over the roadway, which could not maintain speed, and was nearly running other motorists off the roadway.” The truck also reportedly “almost went off the roadway multiple times and had to cut through the grass to make exit 81,” the police report added.
Police located the truck at the intersection of Eagle Way and Fort Campbell Boulevard, where it was observed traveling southbound on Fort Campbell Boulevard. The truck then entered the right-hand southbound lane, improperly used a turn signal and entered the middle of both lanes to attempt a U-turn to head north on Fort Campbell Boulevard.
As the truck attempted the U-turn, the police report states that a passenger car heading northbound was unable to slow down and “struck the middle of the trailer and went fully underneath.” The driver suffered severe injuries and was transported to a hospital, where they succumbed to their injuries.
The driver of the truck was identified as 36-year-old Gerasimos Livieratos, of Chicago. The passenger vehicle was being operated by Bernice Franklin, 33, of Clarksville, Tennessee, who died in the crash.
A Kentucky State Police trooper said in the police report that upon arrival, a sheriff’s deputy informed the KSP officer that Livieratos could be under the influence. The KSP officer said he observed Livieratos “with relaxed inhibitions and dilated pupils.” Upon searching the truck, the officer found marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside a backpack on the bed in the sleeper. Livieratos confirmed the backpack was his, and an oral fluid drug test came back positive for cannabis.
Livieratos was arrested and charged with:
- Reckless driving
- Failure to or improper signal
- Improper turning
- Possession of marijuana
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a substance (1st offense, aggravated circumstance)
- Vehicular homicide when under the influence of drugs/substance.
Livieratos was booked in the Christian County Jail. The investigation remains ongoing, KSP said.
Averitt awards carriers for 2025 performance
Averitt (CCJ Top 250, No. 25) earlier this month announced the winners of its second annual Integrated Carrier Awards, recognizing top-performing partners within its integrated services and truckload brokerage network.
The awards honor carriers that support Averitt’s non-asset operations across North America and help deliver consistent service for customers.
The Averitt Integrated Carrier Awards were established to recognize partners who allow the company to meet customer needs at a high level while continuing to grow its brokerage operations, Averitt said. Award recipients are selected based on tracking and visibility, on-time performance, proactive communication, overall carrier quality, and total volume covered.
“Our carrier partners are essential to the success of our Integrated Services operations,” said Steve McDonald, vice president of integrated services. “These awards recognize the carriers that consistently demonstrate reliability, strong communication, and a commitment to service that supports our customers across a wide range of transportation needs.”
The 2025 Averitt Carrier Award winners are:
- Top Small Fleet Dry Van Carrier (under 50 power units): KY Express LLC
- Top Large Fleet Dry Van Carrier (50 or more power units): Maybach
- Top Truckload Carrier for Mexico: Logimex
- Top Truckload Carrier for Canada: Shabad Transport
- Top Flatbed Carrier: Nova Lines Inc.
- Top Reefer Carrier: BH 92 Trucking
- Top Intermodal Rail Carrier: Triple Crown Services
- Top Drayage Carrier: 4D Trucking & Logistics
- Integrated Services Provider of the Year: Bony Transportation
