A Virginia truck driver was arrested in New York earlier this on several charge when he tried to avoid a mandatory inspection.
On Wednesday, Aug. 21, at about 1:40 p.m., New York State Police at Homer with the assistance of the Troop “C” Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit (CVEU) arrested the driver who was operating a tractor-trailer with an oversized load while impaired by alcohol and in possession of an illegal weapon, according to a statement from the troopers.
William Harris, 52 of Richmond, Virginia was charged with the class “D” felony of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree and the misdemeanor of driving while Intoxicated in a commercial vehicle.
Members of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit were at the Preble Rest Stop on Interstate 81 northbound for a commercial vehicle check where all operators of commercial vehicles are directed to enter for an inspection. They observed a tractor-trailer attempt to bypass the inspection at the rest stop. Troopers from CVEU stopped the driver and upon an interview believed he may be intoxicated.
Accoring to the statement, a trooper from the Homer post responded to the location and asked Harris to perform standardized field sobriety tests, which positively indicated impairment. Harris was arrested.
Troopers also located an assault weapon in his possession, which is a violation of the New York State SAFE Act.
Harris was processed and his reportable blood alcohol content was .09%.
Harris was later transported to the Cortland County Correctional Facility for centralized arraignment.
