Federal officials have filed a discrimination suit against Old Dominion Freight Line over its alleged policy of banning recovering alcoholics from driving.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission charged Aug. 16 the general commodity hauler violated Americans with Disabilities Act compliance after it fired a trucker who reported he had abused alcohol.

The ADA recognizes alcoholism as a disability. The U.S. Department of Transportation does not prevent employees who report themselves for alcohol abuse from returning to driving.

The North Carolina-based company has not yet issued a response to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas. Bill Canfill, Old Dominion assistant general counsel, said the company would vigorously defend itself in the suit.

The EEOC filed the complaint with a request for jury trial after first attempting to reach a voluntary settlement with the carrier.

The driver worked for Old Dominion for five years without incident until late June 2009, when he told his supervisor he believed he had an alcohol problem and was suspended from driving.