A truck driver in Texas was recently fired from his job for listing Jesus as his co-driver in his logbook. As per requirements, all truck drivers in the United States are expected to maintain logbooks that are checked by their respective employers from time to time. In one of the sections, where the log asks to list the name of one’s co-driver, Ramiro Olivarez decided to write Jesus’ name, since he drives by himself and believes that God is accompanying him at all times.
“The graph on there is strictly Ramiro Olivarez. And Jesus is my co-driver, and that’s my belief. That he’s with me,” he said.
However, Olivarez alleges that he was fired from his job at On Point Services LLC in Falfurrias after he listed Jesus as his co-driver. He was given a letter of termination that said Olivarez had failed to submit complete documentation and falsified legal requirements. Olivarez’s termination letter also mentioned writing Jesus’ name in his logbook violated not only state law but federal law as well.
Even though the company that Olivarez drove for has refused to comment over his firing, a representative from Texas’ Department of Public Safety explained to the media that drivers often make false claims in their logbooks so they can be allowed to drive beyond standard limits.
Yet, Olivarez claims not to have lied in his documents, clarifying at the same time that he sees no wrong in listing Jesus as his co-driver.
“Jesus is my co-driver, and I have no shame in that,” he stated.
Olivarez also alleged that his employer gave him no warning about his practice and that if he had been instructed to do otherwise, he would have probably stopped listing Jesus as his co-driver.
The incident has received mixed reactions.
“I side with the employer on this one. Jesus is not here in human flesh at this time. The legal meaning of co-driver is obviously a human person,” one commenter wrote. “The driver was being cute, but there are a lot of Mexicans and others who have ‘Jesus’ (pronounced hey-soos) as their first name and it throws people off.”
“He was showing his love for the Lord. This is no different than answering ‘Jesus’ to the question ‘Who is your best friend?'” another stated. “If the company didn’t like it, they should have said something to him after the first time.”
“I applaud the man’s faith and willingness to stand for Christ. If he wanted to paint that on his truck I’d gladly give him a honk and a wave,” said a third. “But I can see the point of the company. That said, a warning, fine or suspension and instructions to strictly follow the rules regarding entry into his legal driving log should have been done first before terminating him. Prayers that he is able to appeal this, and somehow get back to work soon.”
Photo Credits: Christian Post
