Police: Truck Stopped for Smoking Wheel Wasn't Authorized to Be on Road

A Galloway, NJ, Just Four Wheels, Inc. truck with leaking brakes stopped in Avon was not authorized to be on the road, according to police.

On Aug. 9, Avon Patrol Officer stopped a box truck going eastbound on East Main Street (Route 44) after noticing excessive smoke rising from the left rear wheel and tire, according to Lt. Kelly Walsh, spokesperson for the . Kassey is the department's certified truck inspector.

The truck was traveling from Cranbury, NJ, to Avon, Walsh said. It was carrying furniture. The shipper listed was Williams-Sonoma, which has a distribution center in Cranbury. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. also owns Pottery Barn.

After inspecting the truck at the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) District 4 Maintenance Center on Chinsey Road, Kassey discovered a problem with the brakes. Leaking brake fluid had contaminated the brake friction material, causing the smoke, according to Kassey's report.

Kassey confirmed with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles that the truck's operation status was "not authorized."

By running the DOT number in the motor vehicle registry, she learned that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Alliance (FMCSA) previously revoked the truck company's privilege to "operate in commerce." The reason for the ban was not listed, according to Walsh.

, Inc., owned by the Simon family, is a car, truck and van rental company, according to its website.

Kassey placed the truck out of service until the company "rectifies the issues with FMCSA," Walsh said.

The driver was not cited with any infractions in the case.

Avon Patch could not reach Just Four Wheels before the publication of this article, but has left a message with the general manager.