The trucking industry’s tensions over adequate parking can be seen as a backdrop to an incident Friday in Oklahoma that left a truck driver in the hospital after being shot by a security guard at a truck stop.
According to several local news reports, the incident took place at a TA Truck Center in Oklahoma City, near the intersection of South Council Road and Interstate 40. The shooting occurred in a section of the truck stop with reserved truck parking.
Sgt. Brad Gilmore of the Oklahoma City Police Department, quoted by local news outlets, described the incident as occurring when the security guard for the truck stop was checking the reserved spots. “Apparently the security guard was out there checking that when a disagreement happened,” Gilmore was quoted as saying. “A physical altercation took place. The security guard discharged his firearm.”
The driver, who was not identified in the news stories, was taken to a local hospital. Charges were not filed against the security guard, though Gilmore indicated evidence could be presented to the local district attorney, who could pursue further action.
The report on the shooting from local television station KWTV quoted a truck driver on the scene named Jimmy Combs. His comments seem to sum up the issue with parking that truck drivers face every day.
“That’s pretty severe force when you’re taking somebody down for parking in somebody’s parking spot,” Combs was quoted as saying. “Most of the time long-haul truck drivers are tired. They run eight, 10, 12 hours and when they want to go to sleep, they go to sleep. You wake them up, I mean if I get woke up, I’m kind of in a bad mood.”
In last year’s annual survey of the biggest issues facing trucking from ATRI, the research arm of the American Trucking Associations, drivers put parking as the No. 3 issue. A year earlier, it was second. In the 2018 survey, management listed parking as the ninth biggest concern. In the most recent survey, it didn’t place in the top 10 in the view of management.
Cindy
I have been driving since 1998. That said, either charge or every spot or do not charge at all. I quit fueling at T/A-Petri, Pilot-Flying J when they went to reserved parking. I pull in and there are 10 reserved parking and the rest of the lot full to the brim. I fuel w where I park. It is as simple as that.
Now this Rent a Cop…Should have called the Highway Patrol. The Highway Patrol can assist in finding a driver secure parking. Buto attempt to murder a man who is undoubtedly exhausted and NEEDS to sleep shows this gun wielding fool has no clue about the demands of the job truck drivers do. I pull loads that require my driving to capacity évery day. There simply is not enough parking. And when the clock is ticking, there’s not any time to play these bull shit games. If there is room. We need to park.
The Security Guard was trigger happy at the least. And thinks he’s a bad ads with a gun. On another note These cities KNOW they need more truck parking, they have known it for 20 years. They contribute to this. The governments are putting independent truck drivers down the tubes…Forget small business in America. It is all Corporate. It is all greed. And that greed is costing people their livelihoods and their lives!! And do not tell me it is not the corporate trucking companies doing all the lobbying to ensnare the independents!
Walter Pyle
I had the same problem with a top flight security guard in OHIO at a pilot, they think can run shit, if we has a whole stand together we can stop the Bullshit, were the reason everyone had a job, we bring food. Equipment, ect. To them its crazy… NO RESPECT FOR US AT ALL
Ilhan Gunic
Stand up to those wanna be cops.I did ,see it on YouTube. Parking problems.I got in a fight and cops got involved ,couldn’t get me out of the parking lot.It was in Beaumont because I parked next to bildinh,but no no parking sign.Cops let me stay and laugh in security guards face.
Jeannie I Reece
Good for you!
Kelly
It is ILLEGAL and against Federal Law to disturb a drivers 10hour break. I hope this driver gets himself a GOOD Lawyer and Sues TA PETRO, and the Security Person and the Security Company. I believe he has a real good case against all parties. Maybe this will put an END of Forced Paid Parking.
Andy
TA PETRO is 100% Responsible for the actions of their Hired Security Guards. That’s why I refuse to stop there and fuel if I dont have to. I refuse to be forced to pay for parking. I will stop at other truck stop chains or State Rest Areas. TA Peteo started this war on Charging customers for parking. Enough is enough.
I think all drivers need to boycott all TA PETRO’S.
Vince Hayes
Yes TA and Petro are mostly paid parking now so stopped buying there gas a while ago!
John Holliman
More Managers /CEOs need to ride along with their drivers.
LaidBack 1
I truly agree
ReeRee
Great idea!
Rick
I believe that’s to far from being realistic security should have been jailed. Been driving over 40 years was also run off Petro la.out of hours and security run me off with only reserved parking spaces 25 30 spaces would not recomend any body to stop there was owner operating for kllm transport may God bless you folks and family members hope that you have a great day
Bear
I’ve been driving since 1974 and if I ever seen a security guard shot a truck driver for taking his 10 hour break in a truck stop I’d havta beat him to death with a tire thumper. That truck stop should be held responsible. And if not we should boycott that and everyone in county.
Renee Perri
The security guard is a PUSSY ! THATS RIGHT BARNEY FIFE….U and your one bullet prove WHAT A SMALL MAN YOU ARE…..YOUR a sickening pussy that’s begging to get your face rearranged . How does something like U exist in this world and go home at night and look in the mirror ? OR to your family or wife ? I’ll bet if U even have a wife you low life turd your little balls are in her purse ….tell me does it hurt when SHE SLAPS U AROUND pussy boy ? YOUR NOT A MAN ! Oh what’s that little man..with the little penis pissing on himself….someone didnt PARK WHERE YOU SAID OR DIDNT SAY SO U THINK YOUR GUN CAN TALK FOR YOU….WHY ? I’LL TELL U WHY…..Because your a scared little boy and without a gun YOUR NOT MAN ENOUGH to do your job….I can picture U now little turd man….U GET NO RESPECT BECAUSE PUKES LIKE U ACT LIKE THE C*NT U R….ah…not gonna cry now little man cause a big bad truck driver didnt obey your command ? No no….you’ll just USE YOUR BIG BAD GUN AGAIN , HUH ? WELL WELL little bitty pussy boy what are you going to do when someone takes your gun and bullets from you ?….ssccaaarryyyy…..and they will some day…..and your gonna cry your eyes out , piss all over that tiny d*ck of yours , something I dont believe you have…cause you sure DONT HAVE A SET OF BALLS you little dispicable man huh? AND KNOW WHAT LITTLE DISPICABLE SECURITY GUARD TURD ….that someone is gonna shove that gun right up your worthless little scared turd A$$ until it reaches your throat and you choke on it…..than WHAT PUSSY BOY ? Than what ya gonna do….beg for your life …. call yr Mamma…..call your wife….to come save you ? Your a maggot …a cancer on society….BUT…most of all YOUR NOTHING BUT A LITTLE MAN….with a gun ….and no f**king brains….
Joshua
Your giving him too much credit even calling him a little man. He is lower than a little baby boy status
Jane Vandergriff
You don’t even know what happened all you’re doing is going off the fuckn news. If you had paid for parking and somebody else was in your reserved spot you paid for you would have a fuckn problem with that too. Then you get on the internet acting ignorant and not even using proper Grammer. I don’t care what took place there are rules thru out this entire world and just cause you’re tired or drove so many hrs doesn’t give you the right the break company policy. And me being grown IM NOT GOING LET NOBODY HIT AND PUSH ON ME LIKE A DAMN PUNCHING BAG AND YOU WOULDN’T EITHER. SO just calm down especially if I’m doing my damn job.
Renee Perri
No matter what happened….who’s paid spot it was…if the driver even threatened the security guard OR throw a punch first….I dont give two shits what happened or who’s grammer isnt up to par…the punk ass security guard is in the wrong for drawing his gun PERIOD. He shouldnt even be allowed to carry one bc he’s obviously was hiding behind his gun bc he couldnt handle it like a decent human being. He could have just stopped , backed away and called his boss , the company he was guarding….the POLICE….ETC.. The dumb ass could have killed the driver….the guard had a choice to shoot or NOT to shoot period. This is a ridiculous way to handle this or any situation . Of course I’m sure the little twerp is going to say he feared for his life. Security guards need better training….just really a stupid move on his part. I stand by what I said . He’d be one sad little dude if it was one of my teamster brothers he would have shot….the guard is pussy. Theres ALWAYS a better way to handle situations like this and not with a gun….get a grip lady.