The consent decree does not absolve Martinez from possible future civil penalties by FMCSA for violations of federal motor carrier safety regulations.

It is absolutely essential that unsafe carriers like this one be taken off the road, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. Safety is our number one priority at the Department of Transportation and we will not rest until this accident has been fully investigated.

FMCSA investigators are working tirelessly so that we can prevent such a senseless loss of life from happening again, said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. We thank the United States Attorneys Office for their outstanding partnership in bringing this emergency action forward so quickly.