We have all seen it before, a carrier in the trucking industry makes all kinds of claims to stand behind their drivers and as most experienced drivers know, very few of those carriers honor those claims. Worse than those carriers are a few that excel in treating their drivers like common garbage or disposable items.
James “Kip” McCarty lays in a hospital fighting for his life.
Such is the case with CRST and the treatment of their driver James “Kip” McCarty in recent weeks. As I write this Kip is still fighting for his life in a Texas hospital. CRST is a carrier under the corporate umbrella of CRST International in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This is the same CRST that was already exposed by Dan Rather about two years ago for having shady business practices and even illegal training practices but they continue to forge ahead into new territory. In this case it seems that they want to specialize in the disgusting behavior of treating a driver like nothing more than a disposable casing once the life has been sucked out of it. Their latest episode began back on August 1st, 2013 so I’ll take you through it from that day forward.
On August 1st at approximately 11:26 AM, Kip McCarty delivered a load of freight for CRST to Knight Transportation in Hutchens, TX. At 6:20 PM that same day a 911 dispatcher received a call about a man lying under a bridge by the Love’s truck stop in Dallas, TX. Emergency personnel arrived on scene to find an unidentified, non responsive man with a 107 degree body temperature……….that man was Kip McCarty. After being transported to Baylor it was found that he was in full kidney failure.
From August 4th to August 6th Kip’s mother, Peggy Mercer, had made numerous calls to CRST about the whereabouts of her son as she had normally had regular contact with him and she was concerned after not hearing from him. During this time Peggy was treated with disrespect and condescension and was given the following statements “he’s a big boy, he can take care of himself”…..”oh he’s in a motel”…..”we’ll send him a message for you”……”look, we are more concerned about our truck”. Still trying to remain patient Peggy waited until August 10th when she again called CRST and again she received the same type of treatment and was given another excuse, this time it was “truckers walk away from trucks all the time”. Unable to get any type of cooperation or information from CRST Peggy was stuck not knowing where her son was or knowing if he was OK, on August 12th she called CRST and finally they told her that they had no idea where he was and that it might be time to file a missing persons report. Peggy filed that report and on August 13th was contacted by law enforcement with news that they think they had located her son Kip. He was admitted at Baylor as a John Doe nearly two weeks prior!!!.
After Kip was identified was the only time that CRST contacted authorities and it was to have them locate their truck, since that time they have cut off communication with Peggy or anyone else in Kip’s family. His family has no way to retrieve his personal effects from the truck because CRST went and picked it up the morning that they were supposed to retrieve those items. CRST also will not divulge any information regarding any health insurance Kip may have or his payroll info, even-though his mother has power of attorney over Kip’s affairs. They were however quick to list Kip as abandoning the truck and trailer while he lay’s in a hospital hooked up to machines and fighting for his life.
Here we are 26 days after Kip’s incident, his mother Peggy and longtime partner Ben continue to search for answers as to what happened and continue to wait for answers from CRST as well. I know that many of us want answers as well. The investigation is ongoing and it must be handled by law enforcement but the demand for answers from CRST is something that we as professional truck drivers can press forward.
Why did they wait 13 days to contact authorities?
Why have they not offered even the most remote type of concern for Kip McCarty?
And my own personal question that I pose to CRST that I know they will hide from, Why in the hell do you think that you can treat my fellow professional drivers in the manner that you do, who do you think you are fooling with your false claims, lies and disgusting subhuman behavior?
Do you want to know as well? How about you give them a call and let them know how you feel about their driver and family treatment and help spread the word to help stop this from happening to another driver or his/her family.
CRST Cedar Rapids, IA (319) 396-4400
If you want to help Kip McCarty and his family or if you just want to say a few encouraging words you can find a donation page set up for him at http://www.gofundme.com/4092dk
You can find his Facebook support page here https://www.facebook.com/groups/512652238828436/
We have to start standing together as a brotherhood and sisterhood to protect our own and Kip is one of our own, he is a driver just like you and I and he is a human being and so are his loved ones and they should all be treated as such instead of being treated as insignificant. Before you move on to share the next popular joke of the day stop and take a minute to share his story, this could very easily be you if we continue to let carriers get away with this type of behavior.
Haggardon18 
I couldn’t give as much as I would have liked, but I gave. The heartless trash that did this to Kip, and to his distraught family, WILL pay a price, whether it’s in a multi million dollar lawsuit, or with Karmic retribution, they WILL pay!
Posted by njkatwoman | August 27, 2013, 12:25 pmcrst was no good trash 30 years ago when times were good.
Posted by Mike Mamula | October 1, 2013, 12:36 amhttp://www.driveforfreedomfoundation.org, Is my response to the very last statement you made. My wife Jenny and I, along with 41 very mature responsible drivers, Have begun that journey. Many years of preparation has lead to where we are now. If you want Unity come join our family and lets elevate the status of the American Professional driver. Please feel free to read any article I have written. We are going to become the future of American trucking.
Our enemies will have no choice but to listen. We are and have invested the rest of our lives in this dream for all of you and the followers are becoming leaders. I personally would like to visit or meet with kip to tell him that he; along with millions of other drivers is the reason for all our work. Please feel free to contact us. The time is now to
“Turn and face the change” “and “Leave your mark”
Sincerely and dependably yours,
Brian & Jennifer Carlson,
Founders of YOUR Organization
.
Posted by Brian & jenny Carlson | August 27, 2013, 3:44 pmThe following is a reply to a comment that was left by one Faith Arnold that was quite frankly nothing more than a vulgar attempt to smear Kip’s family, this blog and myself. To let it remain would have been extremely insensitive to them.
Ms. Arnold,
Nowhere was it stated that Kip’s injuries were caused by an attack or a robbery and for you to even insinuate that this is somehow what I wrote is nothing short of ridiculous. I strongly suggest that you go back and read it again. You also conveniently twisted the facts as well. According to the police reports Kip was not identified until 11 days after he was admitted to the hospital, now how would you suggest that was immediate identification?
CRST did not notify the authorities until well after the time of his disappearance. They also did refuse to give any information to his family and then ceased any and all contact with his family as well. Nowhere did I blame CRST for what happened to Kip and for you to attempt and take that liberty with my words is appalling and quite frankly disgusting. Your mother may or may not be a critical care nurse but with the supposed information that you are trying to spread I would have to say that your mother is most certainly in violation of an ethics agreement and also patient privacy acts as she is not authorized to release any personal information about the patient to anyone, including you without the patient’s consent or the consent of someone with power of attorney rights.
CRST did refuse to acknowledge to Kips family if he had any type of medical insurance, and again I will state that nowhere did I state that CRST was responsible for Kip’s medical bills so there again you took it upon yourself to make things up and try to run with it. What I did in fact state was that AGAIN, they would not release ANY insurance information to his family. I will be sure to research this matter further and if I can prove a link between you and any of the staff at the hospital I will be sure to make sure that the medical review board is notified and a complete and thorough investigation is initiated. Sadly I doubt that you have any ties to anybody at the hospital and in fact if I had to place a bet on it I would bet that your checks are probably issued by a company under the CRST umbrella.
In the future if you want to try and discredit me then please use my words and not the ones that you are going to try and convince everyone that were stated, especially when they can simply scroll up and read it for themselves.
Posted by haggardon18 | August 28, 2013, 12:33 amIf Ms. Arnold’s mother is a nurse at the hospital when Kip is, she is in total violation of HIPPA and could lose her job over disclosing anything about any patient in the hospital. Please have the family contact the patient relations coordinator at the hospital who should be able to provide them with much needed information and services. This situation is appalling and the trucking company should be ashamed of themselves. Truckers are the lifeblood of this country and if it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t have the things we all need to sustain ourselves. Saying prayers for your friend.
Posted by Helen Knowles | August 28, 2013, 7:09 amVery excellent reply. It’s obvious that the “dumb” nurse don’t know anything of what’s going on, and I think she learned that from her mother. They should both go before the board and then be fired for doing what they did!!!!
Posted by Hank Beukema | September 19, 2013, 10:58 amCrst aren’t nothing but bunch of scumbags you rest ashore if that was my son you spend the rest of life looking over your shoulder scumbag
Posted by Shawn Petersen | September 20, 2013, 9:45 pmIt’s a shame that our families are out there every day away from us making the big company money and they just treat them like nobody’s and when they no longer want to be bothered they just come up with a bogus story that they know isn’t true just so they can make more money. Everyone needs to understand that without you wonderful and dedicated truck drives we wouldn’t have anything in any of our stores and maybe the people at crst should tell the big wigs that made this decision to spend two weeks on the road doing what our loved ones do and so their families know what we go through when we can’t get in touch with them and see how they feel about things then. Our families prayers and thoughts go out to Kip and his family and all drivers out there everyday.
Posted by Paula Smith | August 27, 2013, 11:36 pmI am very sorry that this happened to Kip and his family they will be in my prayers . For future reference though there is a group on Facebook called Missing Truck Driver Alerts and they will search for your driver soon as you call them They are an wonderful group of people
Posted by Debra Huddleston | August 28, 2013, 7:57 amWhile the Missing Truck Driver Alert Network does serve as a valuable resource, it would not have been applicable in this case. the carrier knew where the truck was located but chose not to disclose the information to the driver’s family.
Posted by haggardon18 | August 28, 2013, 9:25 amyes missing truck driver alert network could have helpped in my opinion, u need to check into there page.
Posted by Ed Baker | September 30, 2013, 10:43 pmEd, I’m very familiar with MTDAN, and their ability to help in this particular case would have been hindered as CRST did not even confirm that he was missing for 13 days and wouldn’t release any information on his last known position or truck/trailer numbers.
Posted by haggardon18 | October 1, 2013, 5:45 pmI know that a lot of you have passed this article along. We plead with you on behalf of the family to contribute to the fundraiser. If each of us donated just $1.00 that would add up fast. This family needs all the help they can get in order to get Kip on the road to recovery. The information on how to donate is listed in the above article.
Posted by Jenn Frepa | August 28, 2013, 11:40 amim so sorry for this that happen I too is a truck driver n yes these big company treat us human like nobodys we the family of trucker has no say so even thou we pick these careers we still r slaves they work the shit out of u dont pay u want ur worth in if u speak up the get rid of u put all kinds of false reports on ur record so u will have a hard time finding new work its tis world we live in tis is not the land of the free tis is hell bound my heart goes out to the driver n his family n my prayers goes for the world
Posted by Peaches | September 18, 2013, 11:32 pmProfessional Driver need to stand together against companies, without US there is NO them!!!! Stop sitting around allowing these companies to dictate to us!!!! STOP these poor business practices in out industry!
Posted by Giles Long | September 20, 2013, 9:39 amI wont give my name but I am in a two year battle with a unnamed company for doing this same thing abandonement and according to the company they have more than likely erased any evidence he even worked there
Posted by bj | September 20, 2013, 6:08 pmAre there any updates on this driver??
Posted by Cathy | September 20, 2013, 8:19 pmCathy, as per the latest update, Kip remains hospitalized and is expected to require a transfer to a long term care facility.
Posted by haggardon18 | September 21, 2013, 7:30 amWhat amazes me is that any of you are surprised by this! Remember what Pielsticker did to the drivers at Arrow Trucking? Why is anyone surprised by the revelation that truckers get screwed by the companies they work for? Trucking is like the NFL – you’re good to them as long as you contribute. The moment you get injured, sick, hurt, or are no longer of use to the “team”… you’re gone. To the “suits” that run these companies, you’re a disposable commodity – something to be used and abused until you’ve given all you can give. Then, when that day comes, it’s off to the scrap heap for you, while a rookie driver who has been brainwashed by the seductive allure of being in command of a large truck takes your place (at a considerably lesser rate pf pay, I might add…).
Posted by DS | September 21, 2013, 1:21 amThat is precisely why we need to keep talking about it so people realize it keeps happening. It gets swept under the rug way too often.
Posted by haggardon18 | September 21, 2013, 7:28 amTHIS IS UNACCEPTABLE !!!
They care about their truck but not their driver??? Screw them!!
I’ve complained about CRST drivers before dumping piss bottles in the trash in the fuel island… CRST never returns calls OR emails….
I’m ashamed to say that I started with CRST in Nov. 91 and proud to say I QUIT their ignorant company in Dec. 92 after they complained about my broken thumb taking too long to heal…. I cut my cast off early and got a different job.
THEY SUCK!!
Posted by Bill McNamee | September 23, 2013, 10:23 amI thought it was unlawful to not report or assist a person in great need immediatly. And how do you know if he was dragged out of the truck instead of abandoned it? so CRST now has to answer for messing up a scene of a possible crime. Hope they get the book thrown at them and CRST better pray he doesn’t pass away…
Posted by Tipifire | September 29, 2013, 12:06 pmIt is a shame an over the road driver literally gives their whole life to a company..sacrificing family, friends, and love ones. They replace potential life memories for being behind a seat for days.. Weeks and months at a time, giving and devoting themselves totally to a company.. Who could ask or even expect so much from an employee And yet all too often they are released or treated badly by the company they give so much back to.
Posted by Dale Harper | September 30, 2013, 9:54 amEveryone in America can stop talking about it, and start doing something about it. You want justice Sir. Need to Act and move. http://www.driveforfreedomfoundation.org The Carlson Family and many of YOUR business associates are waiting to see if you have the courage also. Great post, but it is time to stop talking and typing. The Choice is yours. Kind regards
~Brian & Jenny C.
Posted by Brian Carlson | September 30, 2013, 3:23 pmBrian I appreciate your comment as I encourage people to speak their mind but your assumptions couldn’t be further from the truth. I take part in many of the things I write about by investing my time, resources and physical presence in the trenches. Its a shame when people don’t bother to research things before they comment about them. Well I just took the time to check out your page and what is the glaring fact that was noticed, you want to charge people a membership fee. I think we have already beaten that horse to death now about groups collecting money from drivers to “support” them now haven’t we?
Posted by haggardon18 | September 30, 2013, 5:12 pmI used to drive for CRST…this kinda thing is why I was only there for 2 months. Prayers for Kip and his family and I hope CRST pays for the way they treat their drivers.
Posted by Reefer Madness | September 30, 2013, 6:14 pmFair enough!
It was the Drivers that voted for the fee. We created it without. I have given 10’s of thousands of dollars to Drivers and their Family’s out of my own pocket —along with my wife’s wages have gone to complete strangers. We are not a traditional Organization. We don’t take government handouts like others. We have actually given back. And as A result of your absolute lack of respect for your fellow Americans– Namely my good wife and I, who do everything for everyone else. And nothing for us, I will be certain to exclude you from the goodness that our family will give to this Industry that hardly anyone ever has.
When you pull money out of your own pocket to help an Owner Operator get his truck ready to be inspected to qualify for a job, that’s a choice with rewards. You just took 7 years of hard work and Heart and shit on it for your own reasons. You want to talk about research certainly. You did none. We have received a total 4 fees for 25.00 dollars, and 275.00 dollars in donations. And 3 contributions came to a total of 15 times that amount. This is exactly why America is what it is, becoming a sad sack of ignorance.
Oh by the way my Sons Name is David and my Daughters name is Anna- We live in Green Bay Wisconsin and we bust our hump raising money at the Packer games… of which we were invited by the NFL and one of the largest Corporations in the world Delaware North Companies–all to give back to drivers. Odd jobs on the side and the list goes on forever. My two children would also be great Americans you insulted with that rubble you call a response, be sure to post this, I have a great many people who will agree.
Incomprehensible Blindness and a narrow mind— leaves you wallowing in your own MUCK! You dismissed an entire website with 2 hours of reading for a measly 25.00 fee, that barely anyone has paid. And yet members continue to benefit from. And they set it up, Not me. They voted to have a fee. Not us. Truckers are their own worst enemy sometimes. You did not even see the Education side– or the Contributions page— you read none of it —you read what you wanted read, and dismissed all the rest.
Signed, insulted beyond belief.
Arrogance Personified, OUR country will perish because of it.
Take good care. The Carlson Family & the rest of the Drive for Freedom Members.
Wow.
Posted by Brian Carlson | September 30, 2013, 7:19 pmI was merely returning the same lack of respect that you displayed in your original comment by making assumptions that you know what I or anyone else that happens to read this blog do with our time or resources. I guess double standards are a common practice for you.
If you don’t like being disrespected then please do not disrespect others and expect them to sing your praises, that’s a life lesson and not some type of new development.
Let me also add that your ill conceived attempt at drama by bringing your wife and kids into this was nothing short of trash in itself. Let’s just face the facts, you tried promoting your website on my blog and tried to insult other people when you did it claiming that they were doing nothing. I donate time, resources, and finances all of the time but unlike you I’m not going to run around thinking that I am somehow better than anyone else because of it. If you feel the need to do it so you can sing your own praises then so be it but I will continue to do things for the right reasons and that is to help other people when they need it.
Posted by haggardon18 | September 30, 2013, 7:28 pmWell now we are trash. Welcome to America.
This is the last post on your Blog that I will write. I never insulted anyone, just tried to create a sense of urgency, and tell everyone to stop talking about unity and start showing it. I do not blow my own horn. I am merely trying to be positive. My wife and children are a part of the healthy change you will see. I did not try to promote it, merely bring it to your attention to see if you would like to join in action on a grander scale. And shut everyone up who talks all day long instead of doing something about. Many will disagree with you About who I am. I would like to do more for Kip b I have offered on the their Group page. And a few members are willing to step forward for him and his family. Turn and face the change because “WE” are going to be the ones that make it happen.
God Speed to you and yours, all the best.
-Brian
Posted by Brian Carlson | September 30, 2013, 8:10 pmI have been doing this job as a driver for over 30 years and I will say money and greed have taken over this industry. it is a sad day when a company with all the technology they have cant or won’t type a few keys for the peace of mind for a mother. All I know is 32 years 3.4 million accident free miles and 1 more month and you young drivers can have just never forget there is no freight worth yours or someone else’s life or well being.
Posted by sept2984 | September 30, 2013, 9:42 pmthe family needs to talk to OOIDA.
Posted by Ed Baker | September 30, 2013, 10:44 pm