A truck driver is facing multiple charges after allegedly striking a dozen parked vehicles in the Newark, Delaware, area over the weekend.
At 5:14 a.m. on September 5, the New Castle County Division of Police responded to the Newark subdivision of Harmony Woods after receiving a report that a tractor hauling a flatbed trailer struck several vehicles.
Police made contact with the truck driver, Brian Johnston, 53, of Newark.
“The investigation revealed that Johnston was driving a white International tractor-trailer on Medley Drive when he struck two parked vehicles. He continued onto Duet Drive, where he struck three additional vehicles. Johnston then turned onto Melodic Drive, where he struck two more vehicles, before turning onto Acapella Court, where he struck five additional vehicles. During the incident, Johnston also struck a street sign and four mailboxes,” police said in a news release.
After striking the parked vehicles, Johnston reportedly exited the truck.
Police noted signs of impairment and administered a field sobriety test, which indicated that Johnston was impaired.
Additionally, officers “recovered illegal narcotics, including crack cocaine and fentanyl, as well as prescription medications and drug paraphernalia from inside the tractor-trailer,” New Castle County police said.
Johnston was arrested and faces charges including:
- Twelve Misdemeanor Counts of Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Collision
- Twelve Misdemeanor Counts of Failure to Provide Information at a Collision Scene
- Three Misdemeanor Counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance
- One Misdemeanor Count of Operating a Commercial Vehicle While Impaired by Drugs
- One Misdemeanor Count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Twelve Violations of Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving a Commercial Motor Vehicle
- Twelve Violations of Failure to Report a Collision to a Police Agency
- One Violation of Inattentive Driving
Johnston was booked into the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in lieu of $3,825 secured bail.
