Free Press Staff

WILLISTON - The Vermont State Police say a tractor-trailer driver was standing up and trying to change his pants at 63 mph when he rolled off the side of Interstate 89 in Williston.

A preliminary breath test showed that the driver, identified as 62-year-old Allen Johnson Sr. of Meriden, Connecticut, had a blood alcohol content of 0.209 percent — about five times the legal limit for commercial drivers.

The state police responded to a call at about 9:25 a.m. Wednesday and found the tractor trailer tipped over onto the shoulder of the I-89 northbound lanes just south of the Williston rest area.

Johnson performed roadside sobriety exercises, provided a preliminary breath test and was treated at the University of Vermont Medical Center for minor injuries, according to police.

"Investigation also revealed that while Johnson was traveling north on the interstate at 63 miles per hour in a full size tractor trailer unit, he stood up from his driver’s seat and was attempting to change his pants in the front cab," police said in a statement. "Johnson was standing up vertically between the two front cab seats while his truck was in motion."

The Williston Fire Department and the state Department of Motor Vehicles also responded to the scene.

Johnson is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 22 to answer charges stemming from the incident. He was cited on suspicion of driving under the influence while operating a commercial motor vehicle and negligent operation.

It was unclear Wednesday whether Johnson had legal representation.

This story was first posted online on Nov. 2, 2016.

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