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Ghost Truck Driver’s Bond Revoked; Task Force Urged

**Fatal Conroe Crash Exposes “Ghost Truck” Crisis as Driver’s Bond Revoked**

**CONROE, TX** – A Houston-area truck driver charged in a fatal March 7 crash in Conroe is back in custody after a Montgomery County judge revoked his bond, citing a string of serious legal violations including a revoked commercial driver’s license (CDL) and an active warrant. The case has intensified calls for stricter enforcement against illegally operating commercial vehicles, often dubbed “ghost trucks.”

Opeyemi Omotayo Adewale, 39, of Dallas, was initially charged with intoxication manslaughter following the two-vehicle collision on Interstate 45 near North Loop 336. The crash resulted in the death of 41-year-old Jesus Garcia of Humble, who died at the scene.

Adewale was re-arrested on April 30 on a new felony charge of criminally negligent homicide. Montgomery County Judge Laura Bayless initially set his bond at $150,000, but by May 2, the bond was revoked entirely. Court records indicate the decision came after revelations that Adewale was allegedly driving a commercial vehicle without a proper license. His CDL had been previously revoked due to a DWI conviction in Dallas County in 2023, following another DWI conviction in Denton County in 2017. Furthermore, Adewale had an active warrant for evading arrest from Dallas County, dating back to November 2023.

The 2018 Lonestar truck involved in the March 7 crash was operated by Prime Logistics, LLC, a company owned by Kehinde Tairu and Funmilayo Tairu, based in Houston. A review of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) records reveals alarming details about Prime Logistics. The company’s operating authority was revoked for failing to have process agents and is currently listed as “out of service” by federal regulators. Crucially, their insurance policy was canceled in February 2024, raising significant concerns about their legal and safe operation on public roadways.

This incident has amplified ongoing concerns from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Judge Wayne Mack regarding the proliferation of “ghost trucks” and uninsured commercial vehicle operators. These vehicles often operate outside federal and state regulations, posing significant risks to other drivers.

Judge Mack is now advocating for the establishment of a “Texas Commercial Vehicle Task Force” to proactively address this growing issue. He pointed to a similar incident in Conroe in December 2023, where another “ghost truck” struck a sheriff’s deputy. That incident led to charges against the company owner for unlawful operation, underscoring the severity and frequency of such violations in the region.

Authorities emphasize that the presence of uninsured and unregulated commercial vehicles not only endangers lives but also creates significant financial burdens for victims and their families in the event of an accident, often leaving them without recourse for damages. The ongoing investigation into the March 7 crash and Adewale’s alleged violations continues as officials push for stronger measures to ensure road safety.

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