Dec 5, 2007 2:47 pm US/Eastern
Tanker Driver Cited For Speeding In The Past
Chad LaFrance's most recent citation was in 2002.
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The shell of the truck was barely recognizable as it was hauled from the scene.
WBZ
State Police have identified the driver of the tanker truck that crashed and sparked a fire in Everett Wednesday morning as 30-year-old Chad LaFrance of Dover, N.H.
Troopers gave LaFrance a speeding ticket after the crash that destroyed at least two multi-family buildings and more than 20 vehicles.
LaFrance was also cited for not carrying his medical certificate, which verifies his health.
He was not hurt in the crash.
According to the New Hampshire Department of Motor Vehicles, LaFrance has what they called a "boring" driving record. He has been convicted of speeding three times; the most recent incident was five years ago.
All of the convictions were tickets for speeding in his personal car. He was caught driving 53 mph in a 35 mph zone in March 2002, 83 mph in a 55 mph zone in June 2001 and 79 mph in a 65 mph zone in 2000.
New Hampshire licensing records also show that LaFrance has been cited twice for failing to have his vehicle inspected and has one violation involving an unregistered vehicle.
LaFrance's commercial license is valid.
He is a driver for Abenaqui Carriers Inc. of North Hampton, N.H.
Company president Paul Marston told WBZ's Karen Anderson he was thankful no one was seriously hurt, and said he was concerned about the families that lost their homes. "We've got to assess the situation and we've got to do right by them," he said. "We've got to do a proper investigation. ... and it's obviously the families we're concerned about."
Federal records give the company's corporate owner a "satisfactory" safety rating. The only other rating category is unsatisfactory. They also listed the company as having better than average inspection records relating to vehicles, drivers and hazardous materials.
According to those records, the company's 83 commercial trucks and 105 drivers have been involved in four accidents in New England over the past two-and-a-half years. There were injuries at one of those accidents, but no deaths.
The New Hampshire DMV says Abenaqui is in good standing in their state.
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