Trucker found dead in truck, near home. Couldn't park at home.

[LumbermanSVO]

Community where slain trucker was found has truck parking ban

Police officials have released the name of the slain trucker who was found fatally shot while parked at a dirt lot in Moreno Valley, CA.

Albert Thomas, a 56-year-old driver for KLLM Transport Services, was found dead in his truck a few hours after he failed to show up at his 7 a.m. scheduled delivery time at a Moreno Valley grocery store. Police said he was shot in the back multiple times and was found in his sleeper.

Thomas, who also lived in Moreno Valley, had parked his truck at a dirt lot in Moreno Valley. Moreno Valley Police Sgt. Jamie Briones said it is common for truckers to park there “for overnight stays.”

Briones also confirmed that the city of Moreno Valley has an ordinance that prohibits truckers from parking at their residences, which could explain why he was parked at the lot where he was found.

“Truckers cannot park their rigs in neighborhoods,” Briones told Land Line on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

At this time, Briones said the department still has no leads, but added there’s evidence that “some things” were taken from Thomas’ cab, but not from the load itself.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association has been fighting for more truck parking for all professional drivers as more states close down rest areas because of budget problems and other municipalities pass ordinances restricting trucks from city limits.

OOIDA Regulatory Affairs Specialist Joe Rajkovacz said this latest tragedy highlights the dilemma that many truckers face. They can’t park their trucks at home, so they stay with their loads and sometimes become victims of violent crimes.

“This latest tragedy once again underscores the need to develop meaningful solutions to provide secure truck parking, which is in short supply across the country,” Rajkovacz said.

OOIDA has been urging its members to contact their lawmakers regarding two bills, HR2156 and S971, titled “Jason’s Law” bills. The bills seek $120 million spread over five years for more safe parking options. The bills are named for trucker Jason Rivenburg, who was fatally shot in his rig while parked at an abandoned gas station in South Carolina.

Jason Rivenburg tried to park at on his customers property the night before his delivery, but they wouldn't let him so he had to find another place. At that time of night the truck stops were full, if there were any around.

The parking problem is one I see a LOT and it is only getting worse as more rest areas are closing and communities are not allowing new truck stops.

 

[Phazotron]

The parking problem is one I see a LOT and it is only getting worse as more rest areas are closing and communities are not allowing new truck stops.

Yes well the precious plastic people with perfect homes and lawns cannot be bothered to have loud dirty trucks in the neighborhood, can they?

 

[Sun Baked]

Yes well the precious plastic people with perfect homes and lawns cannot be bothered to have loud dirty trucks in the neighborhood, can they?

Yay HOAs, scourge of the earth.

Even Wal-Mart used to offer RVs a place to stay overnight, but the neighborhoods and communities banded together to oust these evil people wanting a safe place to park their RV while on the road.

 

[LumbermanSVO]

Yay HOAs, scourge of the earth.

Even Wal-Mart used to offer RVs a place to stay overnight, but the neighborhoods and communities banded together to oust these evil people wanting a safe place to park their RV while on the road.

It isn't just the HOA's though. Take Sumner, WA for example. A guy opened up a small truck stop there about a year ago, then expanded the parking some. The city passed a bill that banned parking of commercial vehicles ANYWHERE in the city, including private property. Luckily the law hadn't gone into effect before it was overturned. If it had taken effect it would have shut down the truck stop, several warehouses including a Costco distribution center, a terminal for a large trucking company and even a mom and pop sod farm. All so they could stop ONE truck stop. And the killer is that the truck stop isn't anywhere near any houses.

 

[GeekGirl*]

Sorry who wants a big rig on a neighborhood road??? let them build lots or go to a truckstop.

 

[Gregg2]

In our neighborhood, a rig was frequently parked in the driveway of a house across the street from the elementary school. The trucker came home one day a few weeks ago, shot his wife in the leg, then killed himself. The house remains empty. The wife survived, but did not want to go back. The truck was still there until a few days ago. Ten year old son witnessed it all, and called 911. Very tragic. She wanted a divorce. I guess he didn't.