crete driver

Last week I had an experience I had hoped I would never have.. I was put into a position where I could have had a serious crash or been killed by another driver. I sometimes stray off of the 4 lane and enjoy the two lane for a change of pace, and that's what I was doing. Heading west on highway 33 in Ohio, which is two lane about 3 miles east of Mercer, I was cruising at about 55 when I see a semi getting ready to pass. Not a big deal normally, except this wasn't normal. There was another semi heading east with a couple of cars behind him. Thinking the driver who was intent on passing me saw the oncoming traffic, I just kept cruising, when the truck passing me, a Crete tractor and trailer running as fast as he could kept on and swung out into the oncoming lane of traffic. It was obvious he could see he didn't have time to make the pass, but he kept on anyway. For a second I kept my speed up in case he wanted to back out, but as his cab got even with mine, I braked hard to let him go. The oncoming semi also braked hard and the cars behind him were swerving around with one of the 4 wheelers swerving out into my lane. Had he not moved when he did, the Crete truck would have blasted head on into him.
As about the last third of the Crete trailer was next to me, the Crete driver started over. My only choice was to ride the berm, which I did, or let him force me into the ditch with 32,000 in my wagon. I gave him just enough room to clear me as he continued on west. He ran the light at 127 and 33 and continued north into Van Wert with me still behind him and talking to the 911 dispatcher who asked that I keep him in sight. Since the idiot was slowed down by traffic I was able to keep him in sight as he entered Van Wert. The local cops got behind him, but the driver didn't do anything wrong so they let him continue. He headed west towards Fort Wayne on 30, as did I, but he was pulling away as he once again reached his top speed, until he got to an Ohio bear, which slowed him down for a bit. He crossed into Indiana, and I lost sight of him.
At the intersection of 469 and 30, he caught the light and I was able to catch up with him (got his picture) and he went south on 469.
Photo removed as it contains personal information as per our TOS
Baack
I went north as that is the shortest way around Fort Wayne on 30 is the northern route. The Crete truck went south. I figured that would be the last I saw of him. I thought to myself for all his crazy driving, I had still caught up with him.
Things went well around 469 with light traffic and I was back on 30 west in no time. I continued to cruise, pacing the lights, as I started into Columbia City. On the c.b. I hear some driver cussing a Crete truck that had cut him off, and of all things, the Crete truck was BEHIND me! I thought for a moron who was in such a hurry, he didn't take time to look at a map or he would have seen he went way out of his way, and in doing so, had actually lost time. Now he was about to catch up with me again!
I caught the light just as we entered town. The speed limit is 45, with no trucks allowed in the left lane. Sure enough, as the light changed here comes the Crete, passing everyone in the 45 m.p.h. no truck lane, and 15 feet off the back bumper of a 4 wheeler that is also running about 60. I had my camera ready as he passed and took his picture as he blasted by. In fairness, I was probably doing 15 m.p.h. as I was just pulling away from the light and snapped his picture between gears. He got away with it, as there were no cops to bust him that day, and that would be the last time I saw him.
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4295/100yn.jpg

I called the Crete /Shafer accident line to report the guy, and the Brenda, the rep for Crete was very professional and understanding. She let me know in no uncertain terms that Crete did not tolerate this type of conduct, and would investigate the matter. I appreciated her additude and felt confident the matter would be taken care of. The farther I went, the harder my truck was pulling to the right. I stopped again and saw the tires were wearing on the outside but there wasn't anything I could. By the time I made it to Chicago the tire wear had gotten pretty bad so I called Crete back to see if they could arrange for me to get an alignment for my truck. Brenda referred to an insurance guy who listened to my story, but started on about how "they are used tires" and was being defensive about the driver. I suppose he was doing his job, but I got pretty upset by the whole ordeal. I decided to get my truck fixed out of my own pocket, which I did. The tractor was out of alignment (surprise!) and I had the tires rotated so they would wear right. The outside edges are worn away and I'm going to have to spring for new tires out of my own pocket since I figure it's going to boil down to my word against the Crete driver and I'm thinking they will take his side. I also think that guy will make them sorry they did.
Out of all of this I lost 2 days pay and am out about 300 bucks so far. Pretty soon I can add the cost of 2 tires and more lost time, and I suppose I will be out grand including lost wages. That will be my loss I suppose, but I think my losses will be nothing compared to Crete / Shaffer. Think about it. A guy uses 80,000 pounds as a missile. He INTENTIONALLY bullies his way through traffic and INTENTIONALLY nearly causes a fatal crash and probably keeps his job. The day this guy kills somebody intentionally is a day Crete will regret to the tune of millions. I just hope I get to testify against that driver, as I certainly will. Since it's the internet, and with a simple Google search this will pop up, I may just get to do that.
Crete says they are "investigating" and will get back to me. I don't expect a positive outcome, but will post the results here, and on the other websites where I post this. If Crete does the right thing, I'll tell you. If not, I'll tell you that too. I have never had a problem with Crete before, and I have seen a few of their trucks with million mile drivers so I figured they were a pretty decent company. I suppose we will see what their true character is.

Since I wrote this close to 2 months ago, I have heard nothing from Crete. I have noticed Crete has
help wanted" signs along the highway. I'm betting, since they are needing more drivers to the point they are renting billboards, this guy is today driving for them today. As for me, I'm thankful nobody was hurt or killed, and hope a driver who uses a truck as a weapon doesn't kill somebody, if he hasn't already.
As for Crete, I'm sorry to see a company I had no bad feelings towards duck their responsibilities and probably condone a potential murderer being let loose on the roads. As for me, I'm out a few grand, but will recover without a problem. All I ever wanted was my tractor aligned and a couple of used steer tires that were in decent shape to replace what their driver damaged.
By the way, I rarely run the same route twice, but got into van wert Ohio the next day and filed an accident report. At least this guy has some sort of paperwork on file with law enforcement somewhere so maybe in the future a lawyer can use the info to hold Crete accountable.

 

my mistake posting pics of the pics of the tractor number. thanks for the correction.