Driver crashes truck while driving drunk, changing pants

Updated Nov 6, 2016
Allen R. Johnson (Vermont State Police photo)Allen R. Johnson (Vermont State Police photo)

Law enforcement officials say the driver of a tractor-trailer that rolled over on I-89 in Vermont Wednesday morning, Nov. 2, was not only under the influence of alcohol, but was also changing his pants at the time of the crash.

Vermont State Police say Allen R. Johnson, 62, of Meriden, Conn., was northbound on I-89 near mile marker 81 in the town of Williston when he rolled the 2005 Freightliner he was driving. The VSP report on the crash says Johnson’s truck was traveling 63 mph when “… he stood up from his driver’s seat and was attempting to change his pants in the front cab. Johnson was standing up vertically between the two front cab seats while his truck was in motion.”

The report adds that troopers noticed the smell of alcohol coming from the truck driver, and Johnson took a preliminary breath test and had a blood alcohol content of .209.

“It should be noted that the legal limit for operating a (CMV) under the influence on a public highway is .04 percent. Johnson was approximately 5 times that limit,” the report states.

The troopers’ report says Johnson was treated for minor injuries at University of Vermont Medical Center.

Johnson was charged with driving under the influence while operating a commercial motor vehicle and negligent operation. He is to appear in court Nov. 22.