The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration declared Utah-licensed truck driver Eddie D. Price an imminent hazard, banning him from interstate driving after he crashed his truck a day after failing a pre-employment drug test.

On Sept. 9, Price completed a DOT-required pre-employment controlled substances test, which came back positive for methamphetamine on Sept. 13.

The day after the results of the drug test were confirmed, Price was driving a commercial vehicle in Utah and was involved in a crash with a pick-up truck. Both the driver and passenger of the pick-up were severely injured and airlifted to a Salt Lake City hospital.

Following the crash, Price’s then-employer, Superior Service Transport, provided him with a list of substance abuse professionals and information on the federally required return-to-duty process for positive testing CDL holders. The process requires substance abuse professional evaluation and the completion of an education and/or treatment program.

But Price refused to complete the return-to-duty process, so Superior Service Transport terminated his employment.

On Oct. 4, Price informed his former employer that he had found another driving position and that he didn’t intend to tell future employers about the positive test or include his former employer on employment applications.

As a result, the FMCSA declared Price an imminent hazard, ordering him out-of-service. If Price doesn't comply with the provisions of a federal imminent hazard out-of-service order, it could result in both civil and criminal penalties.

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