Driver involved in deadly I-70 crash had history of brake problems on truck
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) -
The driver of the truck that hit and killed a Boone County fire official had a history of brake problems on his truck.
Online court records show Kevin L. Brunson, 64, received three tickets from state inspectors in 2008 and 2009 for not properly equipping or maintaining the brakes on his truck. All three tickets led to fines, which Brunson paid.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Brunson was behind the wheel of a semi-truck when he hit Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Bryant Gladney in the right lane of Interstate 70 westbound. Gladney and others were responding to another crash at the time. Video provided to ABC 17 News from a witness shows the emergency lights flashing from atop Gladney's work SUV at the time of the crash.
Court records show highway patrol inspectors in the Kansas City area first ticketed Bruson in June 2008. Inspectors in Troop A would ticket him again in September 2008, and a third time in May 2009. Brunson would pay the $130.50 fine shortly after in each case.
Brunson has not faced criminal charges in the state since then. Corporal Kyle Green with the highway patrol told ABC 17 News on Wednesday that Brunson was not in custody.
The court records do not say what company Brunson was driving for at the time of these tickets. U.S. Department of Transportation records show Brunson was working for Express 2000 Transportation during the wreck with Gladney.
Trucks with Express 2000, based out of Bridgeton, Mo., have been involved in four crashes in the last two years, according to federal records. Two of them led to injuries and another two led to a vehicle being towed. One of the crashes leading to a tow happened on I-70 in Callaway County in March.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration data shows no issues with drugs, alcohol or driver fitness in the last two years. The FMCSA said Express 2000's safety history is good compared to other companies across the country.
Express 2000 has not returned a request for comment on the crash.
