Explosive Lawsuit Links Deadly Truck Crash to Whistleblower Claims Against U.S. Xpress

A devastating North Texas truck crash that claimed the life of a beloved father is now at the center of a bombshell wrongful death lawsuit, reigniting explosive whistleblower allegations against one of the nation’s largest trucking companies, U.S. Xpress. The lawsuit, filed by Kimberly Barr, daughter of 68-year-old James White, directly ties her father's tragic death to a disturbing pattern of alleged safety violations and corporate negligence previously exposed by WFAA investigations.

James White’s life was cut short in December 2021 when a U.S.

Xpress tractor-trailer, driven by Jason Johnson, slammed into the back of his vehicle. Johnson reportedly told authorities he fell asleep at the wheel – a chilling detail that, according to the lawsuit, is far from an isolated incident but rather a symptom of a deeply rooted problem within U.S. Xpress operations.

The core of the lawsuit's allegations echoes those brought forth by a former U.S.

Xpress safety director, who blew the whistle on the company's alleged practices. This former insider claimed U.S. Xpress systematically pressured drivers to violate crucial hours-of-service limits, manipulated electronic logging device (ELD) data, and, shockingly, retaliated against any employees who dared to raise concerns about these perilous practices.

These aren't just technical violations; they are accusations of a corporate culture that allegedly prioritizes profits over the lives of its drivers and, by extension, every person sharing the road.

WFAA's investigative reporting previously brought these alarming claims to light, revealing how the whistleblower described a company environment where drivers were allegedly coerced into driving beyond legal limits, sometimes for 18-20 hours straight, with their logs falsified to conceal the truth.

He detailed how U.S. Xpress allegedly used "load-outs" – a method where loads were listed as out of service – to create false downtime for drivers, allowing them to continue driving despite being legally fatigued.

Following WFAA's initial expose, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) took notice.

The federal agency subsequently issued an order to U.S. Xpress, compelling them to produce a trove of internal documents related to these grave safety allegations. This unprecedented move underscored the seriousness of the claims and the potential systemic issues at play within the trucking giant.

Kimberly Barr’s lawsuit is not just about financial compensation; it's a determined fight for accountability.

It asserts that U.S. Xpress was negligent in its operations, training, supervision, and, crucially, in ensuring its drivers adhered to critical safety regulations designed to prevent tragedies like the one that cost James White his life. The suit details specific claims: that U.S. Xpress failed to properly train Johnson, forced him to drive while fatigued, and allowed him to operate a truck in an unsafe manner.

This ongoing legal battle casts a harsh spotlight on the high stakes of commercial trucking and the critical importance of robust safety oversight.

As the case unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences when alleged corporate negligence collides with the strict regulations designed to protect lives on our nation's highways. The pursuit of justice for James White may well pave the way for a more rigorous examination of safety practices across the entire trucking industry.