A 46-year-old tractor-trailer driver from out of state was taken into custody in New York on Jan. 19 after state troopers received a report of the vehicle cutting off other vehicles and weaving. The big rig was traveling southbound on I-87 going to Albany County from Saratoga County. Troopers observed the vehicle changing lanes erratically and made the traffic stop in Colonie.
The troopers conducted a field sobriety test and took the the Texas man into custody for driving while intoxicated in a commercial vehicle. There was also a passenger in the truck who had a handgun.
Both men were taken to jail and scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 22. The passenger was charged with felonies and misdemeanors related to possessing the handgun. The driver is facing several other charges relating to vehicle and traffic violations in addition to driving while intoxicated.
There can be serious consequences for a DWI conviction. The severity of penalties depends upon whether the person has prior convictions among other factors but could include fines, license suspension and jail time. However, there could be additional consequences for people who work in certain fields including commercial driving. A DWI conviction could jeopardize or put an end to a person’s employment. An attorney may be able to suggest strategies for defense. For example, a Breathalyzer test might be incorrectly administered, or a blood test sample could be handled improperly. The defendant’s rights may have been violated during the traffic stop, and if this is the case, the charges might be dismissed. Another option is an agreement with the prosecutor which would entail the defendant pleading guilty in exchange for reduced penalties.
Source: News 10, “2 Texas men pulled over in Colonie for DWI and weapons in a tractor trailer“, Jan. 20, 2018
