WASHINGTON, D.C. —  The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shut down a Louisiana tree-service business Friday because of multiple trucking-related safety violations.

Ben Gordon Enterprises LLC d.b.a. Gordon’s Tree Service was told to immediately cease all transportation services based on serious safety violations that pose an imminent hazard to public safety.

A thorough investigation found the company had willfully violated a federal out-of-service order, continued to operate vehicles in violation of that order, and continued to operate and direct the operation of its vehicles in willful disregard of critical safety regulations.

After being placed out-of-service, the company continued to use drivers without valid commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) or medical certificates, had been involved in a crash while using a driver who did not possess a CDL.

The company also used two drivers on two separate occasions who had not obtained medical certificates, and who were arrested for driving under the influence and possession of alcohol.

In November 2012, the FMCSA reviewed the company operations and determined that Ben Gordon Enterprises failed to implement an alcohol and controlled substance program, used drivers without CDLs, failed to maintain an accident register and reports and driver qualification files, and failed to keep records of inspections and vehicle maintenance or require drivers to prepare vehicle inspection reports.

The same day, the FMCSA closed an Illinois-based bus company, also for safety reasons.

“Safety is our number one priority,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We are using every resource at our disposal to identify and remove unsafe bus companies from our roads.”