The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced that the carrier owned by Carnell Pompey, doing business as Mortise Trucking Co. in Darlington, South Carolina, has been shut down as an imminent hazard to public safety.
According to the April 9 announcement, FMCSA found numerous violations, including Mortise’s failure to abide by hours-of-service regulations or to inspect, repair and maintain vehicles or conduct required drug and alcohol tests.
“On six separate occasions in the past 12 months, a tractor-trailer operated by Mortise Trucking was placed out of service following roadside safety inspections for mechanical defects, including inadequate brakes, brake-system pressure loss, oil-contaminated brake and steering components, and worn tires,” FMCSA said.
FMCSA Chief Counsel Scott Darling said in a statement: “Any vehicle, especially a large commercial combination vehicle such as a truck and trailer, that is not maintained or repaired and allowed to become a serious public hazard, is absolutely unacceptable.
“Compliance is not optional. If a motor carrier does not adhere to the safety regulations, we will see that it does not operate.”
The agency has revoked the carrier’s federal operating authority and suspended the operating number it had from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Mortise did not respond to requests for comment.
