FDOT Press Release:

On November 19, 2009, at approximately 5:40 a.m., a truck-tractor semi-trailer stopped at the I-10 Eastbound Madison Scale Facility where Office of Motor Carrier Compliance (OMCC) officers detected that one of the trailer tires was on fire.

OMCC Inspector Matthew Bradow went to the aid of the truck driver with a fire extinguisher and attempted to put out the fire. As Inspector Bradow approached the trailer, and as was documented on video surveillance cameras, he warned the driver that other tires on the trailer were about to explode and to get away from the area.

At that point, the tire exploded with segments of the tire hitting Inspector Bradow causing minor injuries to his face and arms.

The driver of the truck-tractor semi-trailer combination had a repair service respond to change one of two blown tires on the trailer, as other inspectors rendered aid to the injured inspector. After having the tire repaired, the driver left the scales heading eastbound on Interstate 10. In an effort to receive more information concerning the ownership and driver of the semi-trailer, statewide OMCC scale facilities were notified to watch for this particular truck-trailer combination for further inspection.

The truck-tractor semi-trailer combination was subsequently located and stopped at the Wildwood Scale Facility on I-75 Southbound for a safety inspection. During the course of the inspection, a consensual search was requested and permission was granted by the driver. OMCC law enforcement officers conducted a search of the truck and trailer combination. The trailer was loaded with cantaloupes and honeydew melons coming from Nogales, Arizona in route to Pompano Beach, Florida. Hidden within this load were two pallets loaded with what was identified as being 810 lbs of marijuana with a street value of approximately $800,000.

Colonel David Dees, Director of OMCC said “This is a prime example of how our civilian inspectors, working in conjunction with our law enforcement officers are a very effective crime fighting tool.” Colonel Dees also praised the actions of Inspector Bradow for his quick response to the incident.

The driver, Richard Garfield Coulton, 07/19/78, a black male from Pompano Beach, Florida, was booked into the Marion County Jail for trafficking marijuana and bond was set at $500,000.

Members of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Task Force assisted in this investigation.