Driver Declared Imminent Hazard for Hiding Medical History

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has declared Georgia-licensed truck driver Matthew Jason Boozer to be an imminent hazard to public safety due to an undisclosed medical problem which caused an accident.

An FMCSA investigation found the Boozer was medically unqualified to operate a commercial truck in interstate commerce and that he had falsified the medical history on a recent truck driving application to hide a disqualifying medical diagnosis. On July 6, 2015 while driving a commercial vehicle on Georgia State Route 11, Boozer suffered a medical problem, resulting in his truck crossing both lanes and crashing through a fence and colliding with a parked vehicle.

Following the incident, Boozer was sent to a physician by his employer and declared medically unfit to drive. As a result, he was fired from his truck driving job.

The day after his accident, in a job application to a different employer he falsified the medical history section to conceal his medical disqualification. He was subsequently hired on the basis of the falsified application and drove for that employer through Sept. 17, 2015. That was when his employer found out about the July 6, accident and medical condition.

The FMCSA has ordered Boozer not to operate any commercial motor vehicle in interstate commerce. If he violates the imminent hazard order he could face penalties of up to $2,500 and disqualification from operating a commercial vehicle for not less than 180 days for a first offense. A second offense carries a penalty of up to $5,000 and disqualification for no less than two years.