Driver Arrested Following Tractor-Trailer Crash on Route 281 in Preble

State Police were dispatched to Route 281 and the entrance to I81 in Preble on Saturday, October 4th around 3:30 in the afternoon. Cortland County 9-1-1 reported a tractor-trailer had struck a guardrail on Route 281.

After arriving on scene and investigating why the tractor-trailer had hit the guardrail, State Police say a Trooper observed a bottle of alcohol in the cup holder of the truck. After a further investigation with the driver, identified as 54 year old Howard Gabriel Anderson of Lee Florida, Troopers asked Anderson to perform a sobriety test. State Police say the test confirmed his impairment.

Anderson was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated in a Commercial Motor Vehicle, a Misdemeanor. He was transported to the State Police Barracks in Homer where his reportable B.A.C. was .15%, nearly three-times the legal limit for commercial drivers in the state. He was processed and issued appearance tickets. Anderson is due in Preble Town Court in December.