CSA
UnknownUSDOT 1897792· CARRIER· EIN 91-2137255
⬇ PDF report

ASCENDENT LLC

219 12TH ST SE, PUYALLUP, WA, 98372(253) 939-4375hestes@ascdemo.comRICHARD ESTES
Vetting snapshot
Authority
Unknown
per SAFER
Insurance
No active filing
not required
Vehicle OOS
50%
above 22% national avg
Driver OOS
9.5%
above 6.7% national avg
Crashes 24mo
1
none fatal
Red flags
1 flag
see details below
38
/ 100

Risk factors

High riskVioCodes score
Possible reincarnation pattern — tied to an older inactive carrierVehicle OOS 50% — well above the 22% national averageDriver OOS 9.5% — above the 6.7% national average1 crash in the last 24 months

A weighted read of the public FMCSA signals below — authority, insurance, out-of-service, crashes, roadside OOS rates, and carrier connections. A starting point for vetting, not a guarantee.

Roadside inspection performance

Out-of-service rate vs national average. Lower is better.

Vehicle10 inspections · 50% OOS · National 22%
Driver21 inspections · 9.5% OOS · National 6.7%

CSA performance breakdown

FMCSA · Sep 2026

21 inspections · 44 violations (10 OOS) · 27% of inspections had an OOS finding.

21
Inspections
44
Violations
10
OOS violations
10
Distinct codes

Violations by BASIC

click to filter codes

13
total

Most inspected in · top 1 states

  • WA30

Latest FMCSA SMS snapshot. Codes link to the lookup — severity weighting, contest angles, and the DataQs Drafter for each. Click a BASIC to filter the codes.

Recommendations

What’s driving each score, what to do about it, and where it could go.

Vehicle and driver out-of-service rate exceeds the national average

High impact

Vehicle OOS rate is 41.7% vs the 22% national average. Driver OOS rate is 13% vs the 6.7% national average. Carriers above the national OOS average draw more enforcement attention (audits, roadside stops) and can see higher insurance premiums.

What to do
  • Review recent inspections with out-of-service violations and fix the root causes with equipment and drivers
  • Run a preventative-maintenance program; periodically inspect tires, brakes and lights
  • Reinforce thorough pre-trip and post-trip inspections; retrain where needed

A high share of violations are occurring in Pierce County, WA

Medium impact

6 of 18 violations in the last 12 months (33%) came from inspections in Pierce County, WA. That can mean tougher enforcement there or simply more of your miles run through it — either way it's worth a look.

What to do
  • Review the inspections from Pierce County, WA to spot recurring issues
  • Brief drivers running that lane; consider rerouting around the toughest enforcement corridors where practical

Following / lane / reckless violations are the leading contributor to Unsafe Driving

Low impact

Estimated Unsafe Driving percentile of 53% is under the 65% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.

What’s contributing6 violations (24 mo)
Following / lane / reckless3 viol37%
  • 392.2-SLLFCState/Local Laws - Following too closely1× · 24%
  • 392.2-SLLTCDState/Local Laws - Failed to obey a traffic control device - Permanent or Temporary - e.g., safety official, signal, sign, light, lane marking, other1× · 8%
  • 392.2-SLLLRState/Local Laws - Lane restriction violation1× · 5%
Phone / texting1 viol32%
  • 392.2-SLLCPState/Local Laws - Operate a CMV while using a cellular phone1× · 32%
Speeding2 viol31%
  • 392.2-SLLS2State/Local Laws - Speeding 6-10 miles per hour over the speed limit1× · 19%
  • 392.2-SLLS3State/Local Laws - Speeding 11-14 miles per hour over the speed limit1× · 11%
What to do
  • Defensive-driving refresher on following distance and lane discipline
Projected estimatecould improve up to 19 pts in ~12 mo
nowin 12 months
Current trend 50% followed 100% followed 65% line

False log / RODS violations are the leading contributor to Hours-of-Service Compliance

Low impact

Estimated Hours-of-Service Compliance percentile of 0% is under the 65% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.

What’s contributing1 violations · 1 OOS (24 mo)
False log / RODS1 OOS1 viol100%
  • 395.8A1-HOSPHOS (Property) - Failing to have a record of duty status using the method prescribed1× · 100%
What to do
  • Audit ELD edits and duty-status annotations weekly; a false log is a high-severity, high-visibility violation
  • Retrain on correct logging and never letting a load pressure a driver into a false entry
  • Prioritize the out-of-service items — they carry the heaviest weight

Controlled Substances/Alcohol needs attention

Low impact

Estimated Controlled Substances/Alcohol percentile of 0% is under the 80% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.

What to do
  • Review recent inspections with violations in this BASIC and take remedial action with drivers/equipment

Lighting / lamps violations are the leading contributor to Vehicle Maintenance

Low impact

Estimated Vehicle Maintenance percentile of 44% is under the 80% line. In decent shape, but here's what's driving it.

What’s contributing13 violations · 6 OOS (24 mo)
Lighting / lamps2 viol29%
  • 393.9A-LRLILighting - Tail lamp - Any inoperative1× · 15%
  • 393.9A-HLLHLighting - Headlamp(s) fail to operate on low and high beam1× · 15%
Load securement2 OOS2 viol22%
  • 393.100B-CCargo - Cargo not secured to prevent leaking/spilling/blowing/falling from CMV2× · 22%
Brakes2 OOS3 viol19%
  • 393.55E-BAir Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on trailers manufactured on or after March 1, 19981× · 10%
  • 393.43DBMABrake - Breakaway not attached to the towing vehicle1× · 5%
  • 393.43D-BBrake - Missing or inoperable breakaway braking system on a trailer(s) or converter dolly1× · 5%
Tires2 OOS2 viol12%
  • 393.75A3-TAOLTires - All others, leaking or inflation less than 50% of the maximum inflation pressure on tire not equipped with ATIS1× · 8%
  • 393.75G-TAOWTires - All others, weight carried exceeds tire load limit1× · 4%
What to do
  • Walk the lights every pre-trip and carry spare bulbs/fuses; clean lenses and check the trailer plug
  • Prioritize the out-of-service items — they carry the heaviest weight
Projected estimatecould improve up to 16 pts in ~12 mo
nowin 12 months
Current trend 50% followed 100% followed 80% line

Recommendations are generated from the carrier’s public FMCSA roadside-inspection record. Percentiles and projections are VioCodes estimates, not official FMCSA figures. Informational, not legal advice.

90-day safety improvement plan

What this carrier has struggled with most in the last 90 days — where to focus now.

▲ Trending worse
3
Inspections
8
Violations
1
Out-of-service
1
Clean
Where the violations are
Vehicle Maintenance 75%Hours-of-Service Compliance 13%Other 13%
Focus here first
1Vehicle Maintenance
6 violations · 75% of recent
  • 393.9A-LRLILighting - Tail lamp - Any inoperative
  • 393.9A-HLLHLighting - Headlamp(s) fail to operate on low and high beam
  • 393.55E-BAir Brake - ABS malfunction lamp defective on trailers manufactured on or after March 1, 1998
Do this
  • Walk the lights every pre-trip and carry spare bulbs/fuses
  • Clean lenses and check the trailer plug for corrosion
2Hours-of-Service Compliance
1 violation · 1 OOS · 13% of recent
  • 395.8A1-HOSPHOS (Property) - Failing to have a record of duty status using the method prescribed · OOS
Do this
  • Log in and annotate the ELD correctly every day; fix edits promptly
  • Plan trips around available hours — never falsify a log
3Other
1 violation · 13% of recent
  • 392.2-SLLSRState/Local Laws - State registration/tag violation
Do this
  • Review these violations with drivers and add the fix to your pre-trip and PM routine
🎓
Turn these into driver coaching — and prove it
FleetTrained (my companion project) makes branded, multilingual training videos for these exact violations — your driver watches and gets a completion certificate for the file.

Based on roadside inspections in the last 90 days, ranked by what recurs most. Informational, not legal advice.

Inspection & crash map

live · FMCSA MCMIS

Every inspection and crash on record — hover a point for the summary, click for full detail (codes, severity, CSA points).

32
Inspections
45
Violations
11
Out-of-service
237
CSA points
4
Crashes
1
States
cleanviolOOS

CSA points = violation severity weight × FMCSA time weight (3× in the last 6 months, 2× at 6–12, 1× at 12–24). Points are spread within each state — FMCSA records the inspection state, not an exact location. Source: FMCSA MCMIS.

Equipment

VINs via NHTSA

30 distinct vehicles seen in this carrier’s roadside inspections.

12 trailer 12 incomplete vehicle 5 truck 1 other
2009 KENWORTH W9 Seriesseen 5×
1XKWD40X19J235277· C27130J WA
2015 KENWORTH T8 Seriesseen 4×
1XKDP4EX8FJ450271· C78534H WA
2019 KENWORTH T8 Seriesseen 4×
1XKDP4TX5KJ346656· C45664V WA
2007 FREIGHTLINER Columbiaseen 2×
1FUNA6CV47PX19954· D44182C WA
2018 CROSS COUNTRY MFG. Cross Country Mfg.seen 2×
2C9SBU3S1JM183754· 93756AA WA
2015 ISUZU NPR/NPR-HDseen 2×
JALC4W169F7005588· D47675A WA
2007 ASPEN CUSTOM TRAILERSseen 2×
2A9LB603X7N125376· 93378AA WA
2013 KENWORTH T8 Seriesseen 2×
1NKDXPEX2DR348572· C45246X WA
2001 ASPEN TRAILER INC. ASPEN TRAILER INC.seen 2×
1A9TD10111L448140· 93379AA WA
2019 FORD F-550seen 2×
1FDUF5GT9KDA27699· C95771S WA
2016 MANAC TRAILERS USA Manacseen 2×
5MC434013G3158169· 77788AA WA
2022 ASPEN CUSTOM TRAILERS ASPEN CUSTOM TRAILERSseen 2×
2A9LB7538NN125064· 04613AH WA
2011 FORD F-550seen 2×
1FDUF5GT8BEC54800· C82683Y WA
2019 HINO Conventional Type Truck
5PVNE8JV8K4S57242· C04353T WA
2017 CROSS COUNTRY MFG. Cross Country Mfg.
2C9SBU3S3HM183717· 18187AA WA
2021 STRICK COMMERCIAL TRAILER Strick Commercial Trailer
1S13GC486MB671395· 6339VT WA
2028 TRIPLE E INDUSTRIES Drop Deck
2LDSD4837W9029383· 46033AK WA
2023 TRAIL KING INDUSTRIES TRAIL KING INDUSTRIES
1TKU02623PR122274· 47566AJ WA
2013 ISUZU NPR/NPR-HD
JALC4W167D7000872· C08322W WA
2025 KENWORTH T8 Series
1XKDP4TX5SR182519· D87666F WA
UNPUBLISHE
1P9CP4031VS109059· 9747LQ WA
2007 KENWORTH T8 Series
1NKDX4EXX7R169151· B60858A WA
2007 TRAILMAX TrailMax
5UCPT37307A000740· 0846TW WA
2013 NELSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY Nelson Manufacturing Company
1N9A23V23D1012119· 75445AG WA
2014 ISUZU NPR/NPR-HD
JALC4W169E7001118· C08321W WA
2024 PETERBILT 548
2NP8HJ8X2RM684299· D87667F WA
2017 CROSS COUNTRY MFG. Cross Country Mfg.
2C9SBU3S3HM183247· 4540ZT WA
2025 KENWORTH T880
1NKZX4TX2SJ191239· D56520J WA
2016 ISUZU NRR
JALE5W16XG7301257· D22309B WA
2014 ISUZU NPR/NPR-HD
JALC4W169E7001054· C08323W WA

Equipment is inferred from VINs recorded on roadside inspections (FMCSA MCMIS), decoded via the NHTSA vPIC API — it reflects vehicles inspected, not a current fleet roster.

Crash record (US, last 24 months)

Total

1

Tow-away

1

Injury

0

Fatal

0

Company profile

FMCSA census

PRIVATE PROPERTY

Power units
15
on file (MCS-150)
Drivers
15
8 hold a CDL
Annual mileage
0.5M mi
reported 2024
Recordable crash rate
5.47
per million miles
How far they run · drivers by operating lane
  • Interstate · 100+ mi1 drivers
  • Interstate · <100 mi1 drivers
  • Intrastate · 100+ mi1 drivers
  • Intrastate · <100 mi12 drivers
Company officer
RICHARD ESTES
Operation
Interstate · Hazmat
D-U-N-S
859500238
Registered since
2009-06-03
Last MCS-150 update
2025-02-05
Census status
Active

Fleet: 15 trucks · 7 owned tractors · 7 owned trailers.

Source: FMCSA Company Census File (data.transportation.gov). Fleet and driver counts are self-reported on the carrier’s most recent MCS-150 filing.

Connections

carrier graph

This carrier shares addresses or officers with 3 other carriers — review the connections below as part of your vetting.

3
Connected carriers
0
Fleet-transfer links
0
Most shared VINs
2
Strong links
Possible reincarnation pattern: RICHARD ESTES (USDOT 1733156, registered 2008) is inactive, shares this carrier’s officer, and predates it — worth checking whether this carrier re-registered to shed a prior record.
Strong· 2
1
RICHARD ESTES
USDOT 1733156Inactive· MEDINA, OH
Strong
Officer
2
VELVET HAMMER ENTERPRISES LLC
USDOT 1238796Active· WEISER, ID
Strong
Officer
Medium· 1
DW BRIGGS CO
USDOT 1908860Active· PUYALLUP, WA
Medium
Address

Shared VINs come from FMCSA roadside-inspection records — a vehicle inspected under more than one carrier, often a fleet transfer or trailer interchange. Other links come from the FMCSA census. Shared identifiers are common and often legitimate — treat these as leads to investigate, not proof of wrongdoing.

Activity history

4 events
  1. 02/05/2025MCS-150 update filed

    0.5M mi reported (2024)

  2. 06/06/2014Out-of-service order rescinded
  3. 03/13/2014Federal out-of-service order

    Intrastate Out of Service

  4. 06/03/2009Registered with FMCSA

    PRIVATE PROPERTY

Merged from FMCSA authority, insurance, out-of-service, and census records.

🚛

Operations

Classification

  • PRIVATE PROPERTY

Area served

  • Interstate
★

FMCSA safety rating

Rating
Not rated
Type
Non-ratable review
Rated
—
Last review
2013-08-19
📄

MCS-150 registration

Form date
2025-02-05
Reported mileage
470,000 mi (2024)
📜

Changes on file

FMCSA census history
  1. January, 2022

    • Fleet grew to 14 power units
    • Drivers grew to 15
  2. January, 2021

    First on-record entry — ASCENDENT LLC, ,

⚡

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Data sourced from public FMCSA records via safer.fmcsa.dot.gov · Latest FMCSA update: Sep 2026 · Page refreshed: Sep 25, 2026, 5:46 AM. VioCodes is not affiliated with FMCSA. To dispute incorrect data, file a DataQs Request for Data Review.