Pennsylvania State Police in Hamburg arrested a Florida man Thursday after he was found driving a tractor trailer while allegedly under the influence on Interstate 78.
According to investigators, Trooper Derek Hill responded to multiple 911 calls on September 4 reporting a tractor trailer that was failing to maintain its lane and driving erratically while traveling eastbound. The truck, a Clement Transportation commercial motor vehicle, was located stopped on the right shoulder near mile marker 29.1.
Troopers identified the driver as 69-year-old Francisco Amarales of Florida. Police said Amarales showed several signs of impairment, including the odor of alcohol and lack of coordination. He was taken into custody for DUI while operating a commercial vehicle.
Amarales consented to a blood test, but while being transported to the hospital, police said he spit on the windows and doors of the patrol car, which required the vehicle to be taken out of service for cleaning. He was later processed at the Berks County Central Processing Center before being released to the custody of the Berks County Sheriff’s Office.
Criminal charges are pending the results of the toxicology report, police said.
