The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has reinforced the Trump Administration’s recent executive order mandating English-language proficiency (ELP) among commercial truck drivers by highlighting two major fatal crashes attributed in part to drivers who lacked English skills.

President Trump signed an Executive Order on April 28 rescinding a 2016 policy that loosened enforcement of long-standing regulations requiring truck drivers to speak, read, and understand English sufficiently to comprehend road signs and communicate effectively.

Following the executive order, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy emphasized two specific incidents to underscore the safety risks posed by drivers who do not meet English-language proficiency requirements.

2019 Colorado I-70 Crash

The first incident mentioned by USDOT was the April 25, 2019, pileup on I-70 near Lakewood, Colorado, involving 28 vehicles. Truck driver Rogel Aguilera-Mederos drove at nearly double the speed limit for trucks, missed runaway truck ramps, and crashed into slowed traffic. Four people died, and several others were injured. Aguilera-Mederos required interpreters during the investigation and throughout his court proceedings, highlighting concerns over his English-language proficiency. Initially sentenced to 110 years, Aguilera-Mederos' sentence was reduced to 10 years following public outcry.

2025 West Virginia Bridge Crash

The second incident occurred on January 19, 2025, on the Cheat Lake Bridge in West Virginia. Truck driver Sukhjinder Singh lost control during severe winter conditions, causing a crash that sent another vehicle into Cheat Lake, resulting in the death of 59-year-old Kevin C. Lataille. Singh, who reportedly struck multiple vehicles and fled an earlier accident scene, required a translator during post-crash interviews. He was charged with negligent homicide.

Secretary Duffy stated clearly, "Federal law is clear, a driver who cannot sufficiently read or speak English—our national language—and understand road signs is unqualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle in America. This commonsense standard should have never been abandoned. This Department will always put America’s truck drivers first."

The USDOT’s renewed focus on English proficiency for truck drivers emphasizes road safety and driver accountability as top priorities for the agency.