Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Oct. 26, 2026:
- Prison time for attorney involved in staging crashes with trucks.
- Bought a brand-new Great Dane van? It might be recalled.
- More fuel tax relief in this state.
- Truck driver honored for quick actions after witnessing crash.
Attorney sentenced for role in New Orleans staged-crash scheme
Danny Patrick Keating Jr., 57 of New Orleans, was sentenced on Oct. 15 for his role in a staged-accident scheme targeting tractor-trailers and their insurers around the New Orleans area.
Keating was sentenced for Conspiracy to Commit Mail and Wire Fraud and will serve 32 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He is also required to pay $657,405.34 in restitution and pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
Keating was indicted Nov. 5, 2020, and charged with knowingly engaging in a vast conspiracy involving the intentional staging of motor vehicle collisions with tractor-trailers and commercial vehicles in the metropolitan New Orleans area. Thus far, 63 defendants have been charged in the federal probe into the staging of such collisions.
[Related: New Orleans staged accidents: Guilty plea for murder charge, more]
Keating was a personal injury lawyer licensed to practice in Louisiana. At the time of his plea on June 17, 2021, he admitted he knowingly paid Damian Labeaud for 31 illegally staged tractor-trailer accidents. Keating represented 77 plaintiffs involved in the 31 accidents staged by Labeaud.
He settled 17 of the 31. The indictment charged that Keating and his clients received a total of roughly $1.5 million in settlement monies resulting from his representation, and that Keating kept approximately $358,000 of that as his attorney’s fees.
Keating also admitted filing lawsuits in state and federal court in Louisiana on behalf of clients involved in the staged accidents. The lawsuits he filed on behalf of the 77 plaintiffs fraudulently misrepresented the identity of the driver of the vehicles, fraudulently misrepresented who was at fault in the staged accidents, and fraudulently claimed injuries.
Keating also used the U.S Postal Service to mail settlement demands on behalf of his clients from the Eastern District of Louisiana to various out-of-state locations. In many cases, Keating’s clients provided false testimony in depositions taken in conjunction with lawsuits filed by Keating.
[Related: New Orleans staged-accident case rolls up guilty lawyers: Two attorneys, firms convicted at trial]
Great Dane trailer recall requires fix before use
Great Dane Trailers is recalling certain model year 2027 Champion dry van trailers, advising owners not to use the trailers until the recall repairs are completed, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents.
The recall was issued because the upper coupler may have an incorrect bottom plate installed, which could cause the kingpin to protrude, preventing the trailer from coupling properly.
Affected trailers were manufactured beginning Sept. 1, 2026. The affected trailers are equipped with hot-dipped galvanized upper couplers where the bottom plate may have been 1/4 inch instead of 5/16 inch.
Great Dane will inspect and replace the upper coupler assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Dec. 4. Owners can contact Great Dane’s customer service at 877-369-3493. NHTSA’s recall number is 26V-656.
[Related: Lawsuit over Paccar MX-13 issues to proceed]
Georgia extends fuel tax holiday
With the Thanksgiving holiday travel period coming up in about a month, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has signed an extension for an executive order that waives the collection of motor fuel taxes in the state.
Georgia’s fuel tax was previously suspended from Sept. 29 through Nov. 5. Kemp’s new order extends that relief through Nov. 30.
Georgia’s tax on diesel fuel is 37.3 cents per gallon.
Under terms of the order, all IFTA-licensed carriers must still file IFTA returns during the period. Miles traveled during the tax holiday period should be reported in the Total Miles and Total Gallons fields, but excluded from Total Taxable Miles and Tax-Paid Gallons.
[Related: IRS announces red-dyed diesel relief in effect — is it worth it?]
Goodyear’s newest Highway Hero pulled driver from burning vehicle
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company on Oct. 21 announced the winner of the 42nd Goodyear Highway Hero Award — Joseph Stanekenas, a professional driver for General Transport.
Stanekenas was recognized for his courageous actions following a serious highway accident involving a tractor-trailer that had collided with another trailer and caught fire. Upon witnessing the crash, Stanekenas immediately parked his vehicle and rushed to assist the driver trapped inside the burning truck.
Assisted by fellow commercial driver Charles Johnson, Stanekenas led the rescue despite the dangerous conditions. Together, the two men were able to pull the driver from the vehicle and move him to safety.
Thanks to Stanekenas’ initial swift response and a joint willingness to put themselves at risk to help a stranger, the driver survived the incident.
The Goodyear Highway Hero Award was established in 1983 and recognizes professional truck drivers across the U.S. and Canada who demonstrate exceptional courage and selflessness while on the job.
“Joseph has been a driver for General Transport for four years and is always willing to go above and beyond in every aspect,” said Karly Becker, General Transport Director of Safety. “It is a pleasure to have Joseph as part of our fleet, but our honor to nominate his heroic actions through Goodyear’s Highway Hero Award to save a stranger’s life.”
As the 42nd Highway Hero Award recipient, Stanekenas will receive a cash prize and a ride aboard the iconic Goodyear Blimp. In recognition of the teamwork and courage that made the rescue possible, Charles Johnson will also be invited to participate in the Blimp experience.
“Professional truck drivers keep goods and services moving across North America every day, but their impact often extends far beyond the freight they haul,” said Joe Stuglis, Vice President, Commercial Sales North America, Goodyear. “Joseph and Charles demonstrated extraordinary courage and selflessness when they stopped to help a fellow driver in a life-threatening situation. Their actions made a difference, and we are proud to recognize their bravery.”
