Three Calls, One Dangerous Driver and an I-80 Arrest

(YORK, Neb.) — Three separate calls to York County 911 about an erratically driven vehicle helped lead to an impaired-driving arrest on Interstate 80.

A York County Sheriff’s Office sergeant was dispatched to I-80 on the morning of August 8th after dispatchers received three reports that a vehicle was driving all over the roadway and had even entered the ditch. The sergeant located the vehicle and, while following behind it, observed it veer off the roadway onto the shoulder before striking an interstate mile marker along the far edge of the shoulder.

The vehicle stopped, and the sergeant initiated a motorist assist to check on the safety of the occupants. During contact with the driver, the sergeant observed multiple indicators of impairment. The driver was given field sobriety tests and subsequently arrested and transported for a drug influence evaluation.

A Drug Recognition Expert with the York County Sheriff’s Office conducted the evaluation and determined the driver was impaired by a central nervous system depressant and was unable to safely operate a vehicle. During the evaluation, the driver admitted to abusing prescription medication.

According to the sheriff’s office, the incident marked the driver’s second DUI arrest within the past year. Authorities did not identify the driver or provide additional information about the charges in the report.

The York County Sheriff’s Office credited the three people who called 911, saying their reports may have prevented the driver from being involved in a more serious incident and potentially saved the driver’s life or the lives of other motorists.

The sheriff’s office also reminded the public that prescription medications can impair a person’s ability to drive safely, even when the medication has been legally prescribed. Officials encouraged motorists who observe possible impaired driving to contact York County 911.