A Texas truck driver has been accused of being high on methamphetamine when he was caught texting and driving — without a seatbelt — in Hardin County, Kentucky, on Tuesday morning.
The arrest report states that the incident occurred at approximately 11 a.m. on Interstate 65 in Sonora, Kentucky.
Traffic Stop Turns Into Big Trouble For Trucker
The truck driver, Jimmy Wyrick, 49, was traveling on southbound Interstate 65 when he was pulled over for swerving in and out of lanes. Upon being pulled over, the officer discovered that Wyrick was not wearing his seatbelt and that his phone has just registered receipt of a text message.
Wyrick allegedly denied that he had been texting-and-driving, but police say his phone displayed a half-completed text message that had been started by Wyrick, according to WDRB.
As the officer continued to interact with Wyrick, Wyrick became increasingly nervous and was fumbling to find the correct paperwork needed. He then gave police permission to search his truck.
Police say they found several “shotgun-shaped flashlights” in the rig that did not function as flashlights. Inside one of the “flashlights”, the officer found a bag of methamphetamine.
Wyrick allegedly admitted to smoking the meth the night before at a rest stop; however, during the traffic stop Wyrick had pinpointed pupils, slow speech and had difficulty standing on one leg.
Police also found a meth pipe inside the cab.
Wyrick was arrested and charged with careless driving, driving a motor vehicle while texting, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
He is currently being held at the Hardin County Detention Center.