Alabama Truck Crash Sparks Manslaughter Charges, English Proficiency Questions

Alabama Fatal Crash Raises Questions Over English Proficiency, Safety Standards

A tragic crash in Thomasville, Alabama, that left two people dead and four others injured isputting a spotlight on safety risks tied to driver qualifications—and reigniting concerns over English proficiency standards for commercial drivers.

On Tuesday, May 6, 45-year-old Andrii Dmyterko, a truck driver from Russia working in the U.S. on a visa, was arrested on two counts of vehicular manslaughter following a devastating wreck on Highway 43. Police say Dmyterko, driving a loaded semi-truck for Chicago-based 4 US Transportation Company, plowed into a line of vehicles stopped at a red light without braking.

The collision killed Ashley Marie Springer McDonald, 37, and Woodie Earl Beck III, 53, both pronounced dead at the scene. Four others were hospitalized.

FBI Joins Investigation as Driver Needed Interpreter

According to local reports, the FBI has joined the investigation due to Dmyterko’s visa status. Investigators confirmed that Dmyterko required a translator to communicate with police, raising questions about his English language proficiency—a federally mandated qualification under U.S. commercial driver regulations.

“The fact that a translator was needed is significant,” said officials familiar with the case. Federal law under 49 CFR 391.11(b)(2) requires drivers to speak and understand English well enough to converse with the public, read highway signs, respond to official inquiries, and complete required reports.

This crash comes amid renewed scrutiny of English proficiency enforcement across the trucking industry. Earlier this month, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) approved new criteria allowing inspectors to place drivers out of service for insufficient English skills, following a federal push to strengthen compliance.

Police Chief: “They’re Going to Pay”

Thomasville Police Chief Mitchell Stuckey vowed accountability:

“They’re going to pay… All they did was stop at a red light—it could’ve happened to anybody.”

Mayor Sheldon Day called the crash one of the worst in the city’s history:

“Each of our first responders need your prayers… this accident will forever be etched in their minds.”

Investigators continue to probe whether medical, mechanical, or operational failures contributed to the wreck. No braking or evasive action was observed before the collision.

Dmyterko remains in custody at the Clarke County Jail, awaiting further legal proceedings.

Tied to Broader Policy Debates

This incident highlights the ongoing debate over driver screening standards, particularly around English proficiency enforcement. It follows recent reports of fatal crashes linked to drivers who could not adequately read road signs or communicate with authorities.

CVSA Votes to Sideline Truckers Over English Proficiency

CVSA votes to place non-English-proficient truckers out of service, risking a sharp capacity drop in U.S. freight.

FreightCaviarJerome Washington

Industry experts warn that lapses in enforcing language requirements—especially among foreign-licensed drivers working under visa programs—could create safety risks for the motoring public.

As federal and state regulators push for stronger enforcement, the Thomasville crash becomes yet another example fueling policy shifts aimed at ensuring every driver behind the wheel of a commercial truck meets minimum safety and communication standards.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed.

Source: CDLLIFE 1, 2