An unlicensed truck driver was arrested in St. Clair this morning after hitting a passenger vehicle with a semi-truck on Interstate 44 and leaving the scene of the accident.
St. Clair Police Chief Mike Wirt said at approximately 5:30 a.m. this morning, a man was heading westbound on I-44 and “apparently went immediately into the fast lane instead of going into the exit lane.” The driver crossed several lanes of traffic and then struck a passenger vehicle.
“He continued westbound (on) 44 and was stopped by Sullivan Police Department at Flying J truck stop. He was out checking his damage on his vehicle — thought he had hit a deer,” said Wirt.
The chief said that further police investigation found the driver did not have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) necessary to legally operate the truck. In fact, the driver was using fraudulent identification, according to Wirt, posing as his brother who also does not have a CDL.
Wirt said both vehicles were towed, and no injuries were reported from the accident.
The truck driver was arrested pending charges by the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office. Once he is charged, police will release more details about his identity.
“This is still under investigation, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol will assist us by doing a post-accident tractor-trailer investigation for further violations that will be forwarded to the company that leased him the vehicle,” said Wirt.