Truck driver arrested and charged with DUI after law enforcement officers receive calls reporting that a tractor-trailer is swerving in and out of lanes.
Earlier this month, a 35 year old Georgia truck driver was arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI). According to news reports, on April 6, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office received several calls regarding a tractor-trailer that was observed swerving in and out of lanes on Interstate 20.
Newton County deputies were dispatched and subsequently stopped the driver. Based on police reports, the driver provided the deputies with conflicting information. He first stated that the truck was empty, but later admitted that he was hauling 26 tons of stone. When asked where he was taking the load, the driver could not provide a specific location.
During the course of the questioning, deputies detected an alcoholic smell on the driver and asked him if he had been drinking. The driver stated that he had not and consented to a Breathalyzer test. The driver registered a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .222 percent. He was provided an opportunity to repeat the Breathalyzer test, but declined.
The legal BAC for commercial truck drivers is .04 percent in the state of Georgia. The driver well exceeded this threshold.
The driver also had difficulty performing a number of field sobriety tests. For example, he stumbled while walking in a straight line and swayed while standing on one foot.
Deputies proceeded to search the driver’s truck, where they located an empty can of Mike’s Hard Lemonade on the driver’s side console.
The truck driver is also facing a reckless driving charge stemming from a prior automobile accident where alcohol may have been a factor.
The driver was arrested and transported to Rockdale County Jail. En route, the driver informed deputies that he had recently been charged with reckless homicide. The charge that the driver mentioned is in connection with an automobile accident that occurred on Interstate 526 in January of this year. The accident resulted in the death a 27 year old University of South Carolina medical student. The police report from the January automobile accident states that witnesses observed the driver throwing a pack of beer out of his truck and over the guard rail immediately after the accident. The driver is schedule to be in court later this month to face the reckless homicide charge.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident where the truck driver was under the influence of alcohol, you should contact an attorney immediately. An attorney can ensure that your legal rights are protected and help you receive the compensation that you deserve.