UNDATED, WI (WTAQ) - A company that owns a semi-truck that rear-ended an SUV and killed six Wisconsinites had 17 violations in the two years before Saturday’s crash.

Highway Star Incorporated of Oak Park Michigan racked up tickets for speeding, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, and not wearing seat-belts.

Based on that record, the federal government had advised states to more closely inspect the company’s vehicles.

The U.S. Motor Carrier Safety Administration still gave Highway Star an overall satisfactory rating, due to its overall performance in the two years ending Sunday.

Duane DeBruyne of the federal safety agency says the warnings are meant to notify states of potential problems to check on – but they don’t have to follow up on them.

The Kentucky State Patrol said the trucker in Saturday’s crash was apparently distracted before rear-ending the SUV on Interstate-65, about 50 miles south of Louisville.

62-year-old James Gollnow of rural Marion in Shawano County was driving the SUV. He was killed along with his wife, another relative, two foster children, and a 92-year-old family friend.

Two other foster children were rescued after having serious injuries.

The trucker was not hurt.

The crash remains under investigation.