Who can search your truck? Warrant?

Not enough information, but he was responsible for fuel spill, and he knowingly left the scene.
If it was enough fuel to be noticed by a passerby....we're not talking a few drips.



I'll guess his log books were screwy, also? I think he probably got off easy, but depending on the amount of fuel he spilled, he or his company may get a bill to clean it up.

I've been driving close to 30 years, and have heard stories from drivers about the truck being searched for various reasons, headliners torn out, etc. I've never seen this or had this happen to me, but every driver I talked to who claimed this happened to him, looked like Charles Mansons twin brother, or a doper, or a biker....and I can only guess the cops had reason to look for something, or the jerk mouthed off about 'rights' and 'warrants'.

 

They HAVE TO have probable cause in order to search. Your buddy probably lost this battle since he was leaking fuel(kinda wierd unless he had a puncture in his tank or a line) and then when confronted he bolted but went right down the road. I have NEVER had a truck searched as that is my house and I do not allow anyone in without my consent(it would take something alot worse then this to allow a search of my #### truck).

 

He fuel then went to sleep, then he was awakened by a stranger, telling him he had a fuel leak because he overfilled his tank? then he took off and was detained in a truck stop not far from the incident? Something is missing!

 

i top off my tanksall the time and they dont leak when im parked. something is def. wrong here like he had a leak or something

 

I spent 20 years in LE in Idaho and never saw anything like you described. Even with a warrant, if we destroyed anything the department had to pay for it. This included doors we kicked in and couches that caught fire from flash bangs. If you didn't actually see the truck after they tore it up, I would question it. What were they looking for to begin with?

There is a whole lot of information missing from this story.

 

In a somewhat rare situation, fuel will leak from one tank, in a truck without crossover line between the two tanks, while the truck is idling.
I had this happen to me 15 years ago. The pickup in one fuel tank was plugged by a sticker than fell off of the underside of a new fuel tank cap. (courtesy of some ahole who stole the original while I was parked in a truckstop) The label managed to perfectly plug up the intake. Fuel wasn't being drawn from that side, but that truck returned unused warm fuel to the tanks, but was only drawing from the unplugged side. The plugged side eventually would overflow from the cap, either while driving down the road, or sitting idling. I also ran out of fuel several times, while I still had one full tank.

It took about 4-5 shop visits to get this straightened out.

 

And you are passing on secondhand information. WTF does the truth have to do with it? This is the internet.

 

It sounds like he was aware of the leak and been dodging repairs. Full tanks just don't leak without damage. He also sounds like one that would back into you at a truck stop and run. Instead of manning up he now has a HOS violation for moving. It sounds like that driver has a bad attitude.

As far as searching your truck they are allowed to perform safety inspections listed in the regulations. Since there are bunk requirements means they can look at it. What they find in the course of a safety inspection is open game. As far as wrong doing they have to have reasonable suspicion to search luggage or personal items like any POV. If you refuse, bring a dog in, say he indicated drugs and they have their search. You can't win. They called his company who owns the truck. They probably gave them permission to search for documents. If a DOT man asks you for supporting documents you have to surrender them or be in violation.

If you enter a port you agree to a search or leave. That goes with any other secure/safety sensitive facility.