Hiring a log truck driver

I'm thinkin of branching out and buying a used tractor and an Evans log trailer to hire on to my buddy whose a logger down in the SE. This truck will just go from the loading deck in the woods to the pulp, saw and pole mills in the area no more than maybe 125 miles away. The pay aint great but I know the logger and I can beat is butt if he don't pay (joking, he's a buddy) and the whole thing is real simple. The question is about the driver.l

Let's just say I fineda fellow who is not a boy scout but has his life back together. Let's say he's got experience but one abandonment on his dac (took it back to a terminal of the company but not the one where he was dispatched to) and lets say he has a manslaughter conviction and time served but it is was for a reason (man cheating with his old lady) and let's say he's been holding a job, is a good mechanic and wants to drive.

Assuming the truck, fuel insurance, wages etc. = decent profit and all that, can man take a risk on the man if he thinks he'll work and if he knows him a long time and feels he is no danger now to anyone including hisself?

I usually tend to be careful.

Thanks.