Trucking news and briefs for Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021:
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has effectively shut down Massachusetts-licensed truck driver William Edward Dearth Jr., after he crashed his truck and later failed three breathalyzer tests.
On Aug. 25, Dearth was operating his tractor-trailer on Vermont Route 108 in Lamoille County when his truck left the highway and hit a telephone pole. Dearth left the scene of the crash on foot and was later located by a Vermont State Police K-9 unit and taken into custody.
A preliminary breathalyzer test on Dearth showed a blood alcohol content of 0.217, more than five times the legal limit for commercial vehicle operators. Approximately one hour later, two additional breathalyzer tests, taken within five minutes of each other, resulted in a BAC of 0.20, and 0.197, respectively.
Possessing an alcohol concentration of greater than 0.04 while operating a commercial vehicle weighing more than 26,001 pounds and requiring a CDL is a violation of federal safety regulations.
During the subsequent inspection of Dearth’s truck, Vermont State Police officers discovered an opened can of beer in the driver’s cup holder, multiple empty beer cans in the trash, and nearly a case of unopened beer elsewhere in the cab.
Dearth has been charged by Vermont State law enforcement with Driving Under the Influence, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Negligent Operation.
