Press Connects reports that a Florida man was arrested on suspicion of DUI after crashing a tractor-trailer into a New York State Trooper’s vehicle. The crash happened just before 7:30 p.m. on Route 17 in Tioga County.
A New York State Police officer had just issued a traffic citation and stepped into his marked patrol vehicle. As he was waiting for the ticketed driver to reenter traffic, a tractor-trailer struck the trooper’s vehicle from behind.
The trooper’s vehicle, a 2019 Dodge Charger, had most of the driver’s side sheared off of the vehicle. The tractor-trailer did not stop and continued driving east on Route 17.
The trooper suffered from minor injuries and a BOLO was put out for the tractor-trailer. Owego Police and Tioga County deputies were dispatched to look for the truck.
A state police investigator located the tractor-trailer with passenger-side damage and a flat tire on Route 17 near exit 64. A sheriff’s deputy helped to execute a traffic stop.
35-year-old Darvi L. Moreland of Orange Park, Florida allegedly failed field sobriety tests. He was charged with misdemeanor DWI and other traffic violations.
According to Florida law, most drivers have a blood-alcohol limit of 0.08% when being tested for intoxication. However, for drivers who possess a commercial driver’s license, that is lowered to 0.04%. Because commercial drivers often drive larger, heavier vehicles, the penalties for a DUI are more severe. For a first time DUI, the driver will have their driving privileges revoked for one year in addition to the other penalties for DWI. If the driver is a CDL driver hauling hazardous materials, the driver’s license will be revoked for three years. A second DWI will result in the permanent revocation of driving privileges in addition to fines and possible imprisonment.
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