Driver of Commercial Vehicle Did Not Not Have License

On Tuesday, a Grant County Sheriff’s Deputy was on patrol on Highway 61 in Liberty Township and observed a commercial motor vehicle driving 91mph.  A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle, which was towing a tandem axle trailer with a skid steer. The deputy observed that the skid steer had only one chain securing it to the trailer. Also, the deputy noticed the lighting system on the trailer was not working. The driver of the vehicle, 18 year old Rodrigo Lopez of Abbotsford, Wisconsin was driving the vehicle owned by Area Wide Concrete and Excavating LLC of Withee, Wisconsin. It was discovered that Lopez did not have a driver’s license at all. Lopez was placed under arrest for Operating a commercial motor vehicle without having a CDL and was taken to the Grant County Jail, where he was also charged with speeding. The Sheriff’s Office contacted Area Wide Concrete and Excavating LLC and informed them of the incident. Collision Specialists of Fennimore responded to the scene and secured the skid steer and then transported the commercial motor vehicle to the Sheriff’s Office. A supervisor with Area Wide Concrete and Excavating LLC arrived at the Sheriff’s Office and posted bond for Lopez and the commercial motor vehicle was released. Area Wide Concrete and Excavating LLC was cited for Failure to Display Registration, Operating without Stopping Lights, and Improper Directional Lighting. An ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Wisconsin State Patrol. The matter will be referred to the Grant County District Attorney’s Office.