Trucking news and briefs for Monday, June 29, 2026:
PGT Trucking celebrates 45th anniversary, recognizes safe drivers
PGT Trucking Inc. (CCJ Top 250, No. 72) recognized 50 Million Mile Drivers and 109 Safe Drivers at its annual Million Mile Safe Driver Celebration, held at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on May 16. The company, founded in 1981, also commemorated its forty-fifth anniversary.
PGT Trucking’s Million Mile Drivers and Safe Drivers were honored at the event for their prestigious safety records and distinguished trucking careers.
“After 45 years, our nation’s highways have become more congested, motorists have become more aggressive, and the glory of life on the road has continued to deteriorate, and yet, PGT’s Proud Professionals have persevered,” said Pat Gallagher, PGT Trucking founder and CEO. “I am honored to recognize these 159 drivers for their commitment to safety, excellence and professionalism.”
PGT Trucking’s Million Mile Drivers achieved the status by driving one million miles or more at the company without a safety incident. Safe Drivers have driven for the company for more than five years, but less than one million miles, without a safety incident. This year, PGT Trucking inducted five new Million Mile Drivers: Paul Brown, Christopher Chupp, Christian Garcia, Lucio Tolayo and Jarrod Waugh.
In addition, PGT Trucking recognized its annual award winners, including:
- Clarence Hall, Company Driver of the Year
- Ronnie Johnson, Independent Contractor of the Year
- Dustin Show, Certified Pro Trainer of the Year
- Bob Tudor, Premier Professional of the Year
- Thomas Mann, Team Player of the Year
- Clay Jones and Ben Hamm, Agents of the Year
- Shawn Hart, Terminal Manager of the Year
- Ramon Garibay, Safety Professional of the Year
- Michael DeMateo, PGT MVP of the Year
Million Mile Driver Ricky Franklin won the grand prize, a new 2026 Ford F-150.
Trucking company guilty for role in Mafia-connected gambling operation
A New Jersey-based trucking company is among eight companies and individuals to plead guilty to their respective roles in operating illegal poker games and an online sportsbook in association with the Lucchese crime family -- one of the “Five Families” Mafia organizations operating in New York City.
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced that Frasso Trucking was among the eight guilty pleas related to a racketeering, gambling, and money laundering operation. Between October 2025 and June 2026, 27 other people have previously pleaded guilty with respect to their conduct in the gambling enterprise.
The defendants were among 42 people who have been indicted since the initial arrests in April 2025 following a two-year investigation into illegal gambling, loansharking, extortion, and money laundering tied to the Lucchese crime family.
“The guilty pleas we accepted today represent another important step in dismantling this criminal enterprise and holding the individuals involved accountable,” Davenport said. “Organized crime has no place in New Jersey. For decades, the Attorney General’s Office has been a leader in rooting out organized crime in New Jersey, and we continue to play that important role to keep New Jersey safe.”
Frasso Trucking, which lists four trucks and four drivers on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration SAFER database, admitted to being used by Michael and Gerard Frasso to conceal gambling proceeds and pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy for anti-money laundering profiteering. The company will pay a penalty of $250,000.
Michael P. Frasso, 48, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, also pleaded guilty. According to Davenport, he was a sportsbook agent and pleaded guilty to second-degree racketeering (seven years recommended), third-degree failure to pay income tax (three years recommended), and third-degree corporate misconduct (five years recommended), for an aggregate recommendation of 15 years.
According to documents filed in the case and statements made in court, the gambling operations include social clubs that housed live poker games and gambling machines, as well as an extensive online sportsbook operated through several websites based outside of the United States.
The leadership of the New Jersey-based faction of the Lucchese family allegedly oversaw the gambling activities and received a portion of the criminal proceeds. The investigation resulted in the identification of $4.79 million in suspected criminal proceeds. Members of the criminal enterprise used multiple shell corporations and legitimate businesses to conceal their illegal gambling proceeds.
George Zappola, Joseph R. Perna, and John G. Perna are high-level managers of the criminal enterprise and allegedly members of the Lucchese Crime Family. All three pleaded guilty to second-degree racketeering in exchange for recommended sentences of seven years in state prison.
FMCSA, Montana issue nearly 200 viols in recent blitz
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced June 24 the results of an Operation Safe Driver enforcement blitz conducted in partnership with the Montana Highway Patrol.
The effort resulted in 113 inspections with 196 violations issued and 32 out-of-service orders issued.
The agency also highlighted the “wildest catch” of the blitz -- “an 81-ft combo of a box truck towing a flatbed with a pickup towing a fifth-wheel.”
Alabama rest area closing for rebuild
The Alabama Department of Transportation will replace the I-65 northbound rest area near Greenville with a larger, modernized facility.
Crews will demolish the current structure and build an updated rest area in the same location. The new facility will feature additional parking, bathroom stalls, urinals, and family restrooms.
The northbound rest area will close on Monday, June 29. Parking lots will also be closed during the rebuild. The recently updated southbound facility will remain open.
Signs are posted along I-65 North to alert drivers of the closure in advance. The next available northbound state-maintained rest area is in Clanton. ALDOT strongly encourages motorists to utilize the Evergreen rest area before reaching Greenville.
The approximately $12 million project is expected to last up to two years.
