Rye Cop Pulls Over Death-Trap Rig Hauling Heavy Machinery With One Tiny Chain

RYE, NY (November 28, 2025) — A City of Rye police officer pulled over a commercial vehicle Friday morning after spotting traffic violations on Midland Avenue near Peck Avenue, leading to the discovery of 22 federal and state violations that took the rig off the road.

The stop happened at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 28, 2025. After observing Vehicle & Traffic Law violations, the officer initiated a traffic stop and escorted the vehicle to a safe location for a full Department of Transportation inspection.

Inspectors found 22 violations, seven of which were serious enough to place the vehicle out of service. Among the problems: heavy machinery secured by only one 3/8-inch chain with a 6,600-pound working load limit, a driver operating out of class (Class A required but holding only a Class D license), an unregistered trailer displaying an improper Maine registration, an unregistered power unit, a federal out-of-service violation for refusal of audit/no contact, and an inactive DOT number.

The vehicle was towed from the roadway.

“The City of Rye Police Department remains committed to ensuring public safety by identifying and removing unsafe commercial vehicles from our roadways,” the department said in a statement posted to X.

This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.