Semi driver charged with OVI near US-322 in NE Ohio

SOUTH EUCLID , Ohio (WJW) — A semi truck driver who allegedly tried to shoplift alcohol from a South Euclid gas station was caught by an off-duty police officer and charged with impaired driving.

It happened just after 7 a.m. on Wednesday, April 10, at the GetGo along Mayfield Road/U.S. Route 322, according to a Wednesday Facebook post .

The off-duty officer reported the shoplifting attempt to the police department, then recovered the booze.

The officer then saw the man leave the store and try to leave in a Freightliner Cascadia semi truck. The officer stopped him there and ordered him out of the truck.

On-duty officers who arrived on scene noted the man couldn’t walk, stand up straight or speak clearly and was leaning on a police cruiser for balance, according to the post. They could also smell alcohol on his breath.

Inside the cab of the truck they found empty beer cans.

The man reportedly refused sobriety tests. He was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and other traffic offenses.

The semi truck, which has Maryland tags, was towed from the gas station.

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