EMPIRE SOUTHWEST LLC
DBA: EMPIRE TRANSPORT
FMCSA Live Status
Fleet & equipment
- Power units
- 1,178
- Drivers · CDL
- 1,175 · 1,017
- Annual miles
- 21.5M unreliable
| Type | Own | Term | Trip | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trucks | 916 | 137 | 0 | 1053 |
| Tractors | 106 | 19 | 0 | 125 |
| Trailers | 219 | 15 | 0 | 234 |
Registration
- Organization
- CORPORATION
- FMCSA Rating
- Satisfactory (03-14-1983) · 43 yr old
- Registered
- 06-01-1974 (52 yrs)
- MCS-150 Update
- 01-07-2026 (Address Change)
- FRED Score Date
- Nov 07, 2026
- Officer
- CHRISTOPHER ZAHARIS
- Officer
- MICHAEL KRUSE
Cargo
- High-Risk Cargo
- Motor Vehicles, Drive/Tow Away, Machinery Large, General Freight
Note: "General Freight" is a catch-all; the actual cargo mix and its risk may differ.
Estimated from the commodity types reported to FMCSA, not from loss history or the true cargo mix.
Its risk relativity (0.44× similar fleets) would put it in Excellent; this rule holds it at Strong:
- Held one band lower (interim): the filed fleet isn't corroborated roadside — see Exposure Unverified below
The downside is never capped.
The expected crashes behind this grade assume the filed fleet of 1178 power units is real, but the roadside record corroborates little of it — 107 units seen in 24 months, 0.16 inspections per filed unit-year. The grade's relativity to class is unchanged; its confidence tier is cut to reflect the unverified exposure, and until the fleet is confirmed an Excellent grade shows as Strong and a Strong as Satisfactory. Verify the fleet size before relying on the crash expectation.
MCS-150 annual mileage appears too low for fleet size given observed activity. The per-100k-mile rate benchmarks on this page are excluded; the FRED grade does not use mileage (crash exposure is power-unit-years, violation exposure is inspection counts).
Expected crash rate is about half that of similar fleets.
Similar fleets: for-hire fleets of 500+ trucks with the same kind of operation, years in business and amount of road activity. Compared using its own crash record and roadside inspections.
Worth a closer look
From the FMCSA record. The grade already counts the safety items; insurance filings and links to other motor carriers are not in it.
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Injury crashes5 crashes with 9 people hurt in 24 months.Ask: claim status and driver history for these crashes.
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Drivers put out of service3 out-of-service violations against drivers: 2 no valid CDL, 1 hours of service (Apr 2025 – Oct 2025).Ask: driver supervision and dispatch practices.
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Lights and brakesLights are 14 of 59 violations (24%). Light or brake defects led to 5 out-of-service orders.Ask: the preventive-maintenance schedule and shop records.
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Hazmat violations3 hazmat violations, 2 out of service.
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Filed fleet not seen on the roadOnly 107 of the 1178 filed power units were seen at a roadside inspection in 24 months (376 inspections in all). The crash expectation behind the grade assumes all 1178 are running. Its grade is held one band lower until the fleet is confirmed.Ask: how many trucks are actually operating, with the vehicle schedule.
- Vehicle out-of-service rate 8.1% vs 22.3% national; driver 0.8% vs 6.7%.
- No FMCSA BASIC alerts.
- 89% of inspections found no violations.
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Dangerous driving: 5
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Unreliable reported mileageThe motor carrier's self-reported annual mileage (MCS-150) looks implausible, so exposure- and mileage-based figures may be distorted.
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Estimated mileageNo usable mileage was reported, so exposure was estimated from similar motor carriers. Mileage-based metrics here are approximate.
Track record
| This motor carrier | Peers | |
|---|---|---|
| Crashes | 0.004 | 0.022 |
| Inspections | 0.25 | 0.63 |
| Violations | 0.03 | 0.22 |
| Critical violations | 0.01 | 0.05 |
Yearly rates from the last 24 months. Peers: 500+ power units, medium-risk cargo.
What they get cited for
59 violations · 24 months-
Vehicle maintenance No alert44 · 14 OOSLights 14 · Brakes 10 · Cargo securement 6 · Tires 4 · Wheels & hubs 2 · 8 more
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Unsafe driving No alert8 · 0 OOSReckless / lane 5 · Speeding 3
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Hours of service No alert2 · 1 OOSLogbook / ELD paperwork 1 · No log 1
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Driver fitness No alert2 · 2 OOSNo valid CDL 2
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Drugs & alcohol No alert0
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Hazmat3 · 2 OOS
Violations by quarter
Tap a category to show or hide itCrashes
24 months-
May12026ArizonaProperty damage onlyDaylight, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median.
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Apr272026ArizonaProperty damage onlyDaylight, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median. Citation issued.
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Apr22026TexasInjury · 1 person hurtDaylight, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median.
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Aug152025NevadaInjury · 1 person hurtDaylight, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median. Citation issued.
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May42025ArizonaInjury · 2 people hurtDaylight, two-way trafficway divided unprotected median.
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Apr122025ArizonaProperty damage onlyDaylight, two-way trafficway not divided.
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Feb102025NevadaProperty damage onlyDark - lighted, two-way trafficway divided positive barrier.
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Feb32025ArizonaInjury · 1 person hurtDaylight, two-way trafficway not divided.
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Jan232025ArizonaInjury · 4 people hurtDark - lighted, two-way trafficway divided positive barrier.
1 more in the FMCSA records below.
5 of the 9 crashes hurt someone but killed no one.
Insurance filed with FMCSA
FMCSA record through May 14, 2026 · no change recorded by FMCSA since- Last on FMCSA's record (May 14, 2026)
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primary $2,000,000 + excess $5,000,000 · NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PAon record since Apr 1, 2024 · FMCSA minimum $1,000,000 · no gap on FMCSA's record since Jul 2008
- Cargo filing
- on file · ONEBEACON AMERICA INSURANCE COMPANY since Jul 1, 2009
- Broker or forwarder bond
- $75,000 surety bond (BMC-84) · MERCHANTS BONDING COMPANY ( MUTUAL) since Nov 2, 2020
- 2 liability insurers on FMCSA's record, 1 change: ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY → NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PA (Apr 2024)
- No gap in filed liability coverage while liability was required
Operating authority active (FMCSA's L&I record of May 14, 2026, status since Jul 27, 2020)
FMCSA filings only, not a policy audit. Not part of the FRED grade. Wrong or out of date?
Every insurance filing on the FMCSA record
21 filings and 16 authority events since 1983 · FMCSA record through May 14, 2026
Newest first. Insurer names as filed. FMCSA does not publish why a filing was cancelled.
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Apr 1, 2024NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITSBGH. PALiability · $2,000,000 · on fileL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2021ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $2,000,000 · ended Apr 1, 2024 · replaced by another insurer33 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Nov 2, 2020MERCHANTS BONDING COMPANY ( MUTUAL)Broker bond (BMC-84) · on file · on fileL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 17, 2020FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Jul 27, 2020opened after LIBERTY INSURANCE CORPORATION filed a cancellation notice (effective Aug 13, 2020)L&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2020ACE AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $2,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2021 · replaced by the same insurer (renewal)12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2016ROCKHILL INSURANCE COMPANYLiability (excess) · $5,000,000 over $1,000,000 · on fileL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 3, 2014FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Jul 14, 2014opened after TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY CO. OF AMERICA filed a cancellation notice (effective Jul 30, 2014)L&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2014LIBERTY INSURANCE CORPORATIONLiability · $1,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2020 · replaced by another insurera cancellation notice effective Aug 13, 2020 came after the replacement; 72 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Nov 2, 2013TRAVELERS CASUALTY & SURETY CO. OF AMERICABroker bond (BMC-84) · ended Nov 2, 2020 · cancellation notice took effect84 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Nov 1, 2013FMCSA revocation notice for the broker authority, dropped Nov 4, 2013cause not stated in FMCSA's older recordsL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 6, 2009FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Jul 8, 2009cause not stated in FMCSA's older recordsL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2009ONEBEACON AMERICA INSURANCE COMPANYCargo · on file · on fileL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2009TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY CO. OF AMERICALiability · $1,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2014 · replaced by another insurera cancellation notice effective Jul 30, 2014 came after the replacement; 60 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jan 23, 2009Broker authority reinstatedL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jan 2, 2009FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Jan 7, 2009opened after TRAVELERS CASUALTY & SURETY CO. OF AMERICA filed a cancellation notice (effective Jan 29, 2009)L&I to May 14, 2026
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Dec 22, 2008Broker authority revoked (cause not stated)L&I to May 14, 2026
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Dec 12, 2008TRAVELERS CASUALTY & SURETY CO. OF AMERICABroker bond (BMC-84) · ended Nov 2, 2013 · cancellation notice took effect59 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Dec 12, 2008TRAVELERS CASUALTY & SURETY CO. OF AMERICALiability · $10,000,000 · ended Jan 29, 2009 · cancellation notice took effect2 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2008SENTRY SELECT INSURANCE COMPANYLiability · $1,000,000 · ended Jul 1, 2009 · replaced by another insurer12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2007TRAVELERS PROPERTY CASUALTY CO. OF AMERICACargo · ended Jul 1, 2009 · replaced by another insurera cancellation notice effective Aug 1, 2009 came after the replacement; 24 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Mar 26, 2007Broker authority reinstatedL&I to May 14, 2026
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Jul 1, 2006SENTRY SELECT INSURANCE COMPANYCargo · ended Jul 1, 2007 · replaced by another insurer12 months in forceL&I to May 14, 2026
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Sep 19, 2005Broker authority revoked (cause not stated)L&I to May 14, 2026
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Sep 6, 2005FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Sep 26, 2005opened after SENTRY SELECT INSURANCE COMPANY filed a cancellation notice (effective Oct 1, 2005)L&I to May 14, 2026
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Aug 1, 2005FMCSA revocation notice for the operating authority, dropped Aug 30, 2005cause not stated in FMCSA's older recordsL&I to May 14, 2026
What the terms mean
- Liability filing (BIPD):
- The insurer's certificate (form BMC-91 or 91X) that the motor carrier carries bodily-injury and property-damage liability at or above FMCSA's minimum. A BMC-82 is the same promise made by a surety bond.
- FMCSA minimum:
- $750,000 for general freight in vehicles of 10,001 lb or more; $300,000 under 10,001 lb; $1,000,000 for oil and some hazardous materials; $5,000,000 for bulk hazardous materials (49 CFR 387.9).
- Primary / excess:
- An excess filing sits on top of a primary one; together they make the total filed limit.
- Replaced:
- A new filing took over from this one. Replaced the same day is an ordinary change of insurer or renewal.
- Cancellation notice:
- Form BMC-35 (insurance) or BMC-36 (bond): the insurer tells FMCSA the filing ends in 30 days. The insurer files it whether the insurer or the motor carrier ended the policy; FMCSA does not publish the reason.
- Cancellation processed by FMCSA:
- FMCSA itself ended the filing, for example when the authority was revoked.
- Lapse:
- Time with no liability filing on FMCSA's record while the authority required one. A filing received later can be back-dated, which closes a lapse after the fact.
- Suspended for insurance:
- FMCSA suspended the operating authority because no filing meeting the minimum was on file. FMCSA's records state this reason only since May 14, 2026; before then they show a revocation notice without a cause.
- FMCSA notice resolved in time:
- Before May 14, 2026, FMCSA served a revocation notice when a required filing lapsed and dropped it when the filing was restored. The notice does not say which filing lapsed.
- Suspension notice:
- Since May 14, 2026, FMCSA serves a notice that the authority will be suspended on a date unless the missing filing is restored. The notice does not say which filing.
- Cargo filing:
- Form BMC-34. FMCSA has required it only of household-goods motor carriers and forwarders since 2011, so most motor carriers' cargo policies are not on FMCSA's record.
- Broker bond / trust fund:
- Form BMC-84 (surety bond) or BMC-85 (trust fund): the $75,000 security a broker or freight forwarder must keep on file.
- Self-insurance authority:
- FMCSA lets a few large motor carriers carry their own liability; it appears as a filing by "Self-Insured".
- Risk retention group:
- An insurer owned by its policyholders (often trucking groups). It is not covered by state insurance guaranty funds.
- FMCSA record through:
- The date of the FMCSA file this section was built from. Dockets FMCSA's new system has not yet published are shown from the legacy record, frozen on May 14, 2026.
FMCSA's record of the insurance filed for this motor carrier's operating authority (forms BMC-91/91X liability, BMC-34 cargo, BMC-84/85 broker bond or trust), not the motor carrier's full insurance program. Only for-hire motor carriers with operating authority file with FMCSA; private and intrastate-only motor carriers keep proof of insurance at their place of business, so no filing does not mean no insurance. A filed limit is the amount the insurer certified to FMCSA, which can be below the policy's full limits; cargo and bond filings are shown as on file or not because FMCSA records the federal minimum rather than the policy amount. FMCSA's new registration system (May 14, 2026) publishes a partial set of dockets; a docket not yet in it is shown from the legacy record, frozen on that date, and the live check above is today's reading. Not part of the FRED grade. Wrong or out of date?
Where it happens
- Arizona (HQ) 299
- California 40
- Nevada 25
- Colorado 4
- New Mexico 4
- Iowa 2
- Texas 1
- Federal inspectors 1
80% of inspections were in its home state.
How this grade is calculated
The model, its inputs, the window it scored and its confidence. For actuaries and anyone checking the work.
Forward 12-Month Risk Outlook
The FRED Score predicts this motor carrier's crash risk over the next 12 months — how often they're likely to crash and how severe those crashes tend to be — versus a typical fleet of its size (1178 power units: 1178 filed, 107 seen roadside in 24 months).
We'd expect a typical fleet of 1178 power units this active to have about 11.2 crashes a year — but only 107 of the 1178 filed units were seen roadside in 24 months (0.16 inspections per filed unit-year), so this expectation assumes the filed fleet is real. This motor carrier recorded 17 in its scoring window (Sep 1, 2023 → Aug 31, 2026, about 5.7 a year) — fewer than a typical fleet. Factoring in its inspection and violation record inside that window and the credibility of its own experience, the model projects about 4.9 over the next 12 — below a typical fleet. When this motor carrier does crash, those crashes tend to be substantially more severe than average — roughly 3.2× the injury/fatal weight of a typical crash.
- 4 inspections with no out-of-service result
FRED multiplies three factors: the class rate a fleet of this size, class and activity is expected to run, a violation relativity from its roadside record, and its own crash experience over 36 months weighted by how much exposure stands behind it. The grade is the band of the resulting relativity to class, then the screens.
- Capped one band (interim): the filed fleet isn't corroborated roadside — under a quarter of it seen in 24 months and under 0.25 inspections per filed truck a year — so Excellent shows as Strong and Strong as Satisfactory until the fleet is confirmed
FMCSA records
BASIC measures and every inspection, violation and crash, sortable and filterable.
FMCSA BASIC Scores
AB Property| BASIC | Insp w/ Viol | Measure | Alert |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsafe Driving | 8 | 0.06 | |
| HOS Compliance | 2 | 0.02 | |
| Driver Fitness | 2 | 0.02 | |
| Controlled Substances | 0 | 0.00 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance | 30 | 1.11 |
SMS record data is sourced from FMCSA's Safety Measurement System (01-DEC-25 – 31-OCT-24) and may cover a different time window than the scoring window used for the FRED grade (Sep 1, 2023 → Sep 30, 2026). Counts here may differ from the grade's in-window counts.