CDL holder driving car arrested for ‘extreme DUI’ after colliding with parked semi truck along I-40 in Arizona

Arizona troopers arrested a passenger vehicle driver who allegedly struck a parked semi truck in the Flagstaff area earlier this month.

On August 8, 2026, Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) troopers responded to a crash along I-40 in Flagstaff involving a parked semi truck and a red car that rolled over into the median.

Troopers located the driver of the red car still inside the crashed vehicle and helped remove him from the vehicle safely.

Troopers located a 12 pack of beer with 7 cans missing inside the red car.

Witnesses said that the car struck a semi truck parked on the shoulder of I-40.

“The driver stated that another vehicle wouldn’t let him merge onto the highway, causing him to hit the parked semi-truck,” officials said.

According to AZDPS, the driver of the red car possessed a Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) with “several endorsements.”

The car driver was taken to the hospital after troopers noticed signs of impairment.

“A preliminary breath test revealed a BAC of 0.341, over four times the legal limit. He was charged with extreme DUI, as well as felony criminal damage,” AZDPS said.

The legal BAC is 0.08% for passenger vehicle drivers and 0.04% for commercial vehicle drivers. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, a CDL holder can face up to a 1-year disqualification of their CDL for a BAC 0.08% or higher in a personal vehicle.

“Driving is already dangerous on rural highways at night. Adding alcohol into the mix can be a deadly combo. We’re lucky the driver lived to tell the tale, but let it be a lesson to only drive sober,” AZDPS said.