A FedEx driver was drunk when he plowed his delivery truck into a utility pole earlier this week, knocking out power for hundreds in New Jersey, authorities said.
David Fiallos was driving west on Route 46 in Hackettstown when the crash occurred on Tuesday just after 3 p.m., according to a press release from the city’s police department.
Fiallos allegedly dropped his phone, which he was using to locate an address, and slammed into the pole on Valentine Street as he reached down to retrieve it.
Officers conducting a “motor vehicle stop” nearby heard a loud crashing sound and discovered the FedEx truck collided with the pole. Inside the vehicle, they found a Yeti tumbler that contained pink lemonade mixed with vodka, according to the press release.
Fiallos was arrested and found to have a .12% blood alcohol content, which is 1.5 times the legal limit of .08% in New Jersey, police said.
While no injuries were reported, the crash cut power for more than 800 Jersey Central Power & Light customers. It also forced the closure of route 46, between High Street and West Stiger Street, while crews replaced the utility pole.
Fallios, of Long Valley, was charged with driving while intoxicated, using a handheld device while driving, reckless driving, failure to observe traffic lanes, open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle and failure to wear seatbelt, police said. He was released pending his court appearance.
FedEx in a statement told Lehigh Valley Live it was “grateful there were no serious injuries in this incident,” and said it was cooperating with authorities.
“We can confirm the driver is suspended pending the outcome of the investigation,” the company said.
