California

Richmond Police, CHP Team Up in Illegal Big Rigs Crackdown

Officers with the Richmond Police Department and the California Highway Patrol are teaming up in the crackdown and will be searching for trucks that have cracked frames, bald tires and loads that are not properly loaded.

Law enforcement agencies in the East Bay are cracking down on illegal and dangerous big rigs.

Officers with the Richmond Police Department and the California Highway Patrol are teaming up in the crackdown and will be searching for trucks that have cracked frames, bald tires and loads that are not properly loaded.

Earlier this month, a big rig lost its container in Richmond, creating a scary situation. In addition, a motorcyclist died after a collision with a dump truck in February.

"He had a rake protruding from the back more than four feet," said Richmond police officer Al De Jesus.

On Tuesday, officers in Richmond pulled over trucks as part of the crackdown and found everything from cracked windshields to overweight loads. Police also pointed out cars on a big rig pulled over on Tuesday were not tied down properly.

"They have to have four straps for each individual car and he only had a total of three straps altogether, so obviously very dangerous," De Jesus said.

Another truck pulled over by officers had a slew of problems. Not only did the driver run a red light, but he did not have a commercial license to drive the big rig.

"I'm not a driver, I'm a laborer," said Andrew Snell who was cited Tuesday. "All the other laborers were busy so they had me drive."

The truck driven by Snell was also impounded by Richmond police.

Officers hope the crackdown will convince drivers to shape up or face the consequences.

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