THE driver of a truck that veered onto the wrong side of the Hume Highway, narrowly missing oncoming cars by about a metre, has tested positive to methamphetamine, police allege.
Officers are also looking at possible fatigue and logbook offences against the driver following Tuesday morning’s incident, with the investigation to look at the Queensland-based transport company.
Senior Constable Colin Boyle said the 38-year-old Queensland man had been travelling northbound when the truck left the road at Glenrowan about 8.30am.
The truck had travelled in a straight line, suggesting the driver may have been asleep, before veering back into the centre median strip and becoming bogged.
“At this stage police are investigation fatigue and possible substance related offences,” he said.
“We will be engaging the heavy vehicle unit to fully explore any of the relevant fatigue-related offences.
“The man was allegedly substance affected.”
The man’s logbook also failed to match the driving schedule he told police.
“Police are also investigating this matter in relation to chain of responsibility legislation,” Senior Constable Boyle said.
“We want to make sure bosses aren’t putting pressure on their employees to make unreasonable timeframes but there’s nothing to suggest that in this case.
“It’s fortunate this hasn’t resulted in any injuries.”
The truck was bogged until about 11am with heavy haulage required to tow it out, and police want to speak to witnesses.
The incident came hours after police intercepted a car containing three knives, a small amount of methamphetamine, ice pipes and other items of interest.
Police had attempted to stop a car in Wangaratta about 1.30am Tuesday but the vehicle sped off, and the officers did not pursue it.
They patrolled the area for about half-an-hour and spotted the unattended vehicle, and waited for the man to return.
The driver, who was wanted, was arrested and faced court at Benalla.
He will return to court in Wangaratta on August 10.