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Trucker killed while working on semi’s brakes at Montgomery Co. weigh station

WASHINGTON — Police are looking into what caused a tractor-trailer to run over its driver, killing him Friday morning at a Montgomery County weigh station.

James Lee Hobbs, 58, of Salisbury, Maryland, was killed at about 11:30 a.m., in Hyattstown while working under the truck on its brakes, Maryland State Police said. A trooper with the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division stopped Hobbs for brake violations.

A preliminary investigation found Hobbs was attempting to make the necessary brake adjustments, but had failed to engage the parking brake on the vehicle. Because he was under the truck, it rolled back and killed him.

The semi-truck was empty and was located in the weigh station’s out-of-service lot at the facility at the time of Hobbs death, police spokesman Ron Snyder said.

Hobbs was declared dead at the scene. A full investigation into what happened has not yet been completed.

Federal lawsuit still pending on Montgomery Co. nonpublic schools reopening

The federal case against Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Travis Gayles' now-rescinded order for private schools to remain closed is still pending. Timothy Maloney, the attorney for private schools and families who sued the county, explained in a statement Monday on his law firm's website that since Gayles rescinded his order to close nonpublic schools, "now is the time for cooperation, not litigation."
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