FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA — Arizona troopers arrested a passenger vehicle driver for extreme DUI after officials said he struck a parked semi-truck along Interstate 40 in Flagstaff and rolled into the median.
The crash happened on Aug. 8, 2026, within the Flagstaff city limits, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol.
Car Rolled Into Median After Hitting Parked Semi
When troopers arrived, they found a red passenger car that had rolled over into the median.
The driver was still inside the vehicle, and troopers helped remove him safely.
Witnesses told troopers the car had struck a semi-truck that was parked on the shoulder of I-40.
Beer Found Inside Vehicle
AZDPS said troopers found a 12-pack of beer inside the red car with seven cans missing.
The driver told troopers that another vehicle would not let him merge onto the highway, causing him to hit the parked semi-truck.
Troopers said they noticed several signs and symptoms of impairment before local EMS took the driver to a nearby hospital.
Preliminary Breath Test Showed 0.341 BAC
According to AZDPS, the driver had a Class A commercial driver’s license with several CDL endorsements.
A preliminary breath test showed a BAC of 0.341, which officials said was more than four times the legal limit.
The driver was charged with extreme DUI and felony criminal damage.
AZDPS Warns Against Impaired Driving
AZDPS used the crash as a reminder that impaired driving can be especially dangerous on rural highways at night.
“Driving is already dangerous on rural highways at night,” AZDPS said. “Adding alcohol into the mix can be a deadly combo.”
The agency said the driver was fortunate to survive the crash.
“We’re lucky the driver lived to tell the tale, but let it be a lesson to only drive sober,” AZDPS said.
No additional details about the driver’s identity, the semi-truck driver, or possible injuries were immediately released.
📸 Image(s) used under fair use for news reporting.
