Troopers and motor carrier inspectors (MCI) conducted a two day blitz stopping semis on the Indiana Toll Road rest area east and west bound at the 37 mile marker and at the east and west bound weigh scales on I-94 at the 28 mile marker.
On Wednesday, March 13, 2019, a three hour blitz at both east and west bound weigh scales was conducted targeting semis that bypassed the weigh scales (going by the scales without being weighed) when the signal relayed that all trucks were required to enter. During this period they inspected twenty-seven (27) trucks, resulting in fifty (50) violations, one (1) truck was placed out of service (equipment violation), ten (10) citations and thirteen (13) warnings were given.
On Thursday, March 14, 2019, a four hour blitz was conducted on the Indiana Toll Road at the east and west bound rest areas at the 37 mile marker where random semis were weighed with portable scales. During this period they checked twenty-seven (27) trucks, resulting in fifty-one (51) violations, three (3) trucks were placed out of service, five (5) drivers were placed out of service, nine (9) citations and thirteen (13) warnings were given.
During the blitz Thursday, one driver, Dustin M. Arnold of Georgia, was found to have had his license suspended, while talking with the driver a strong odor of suspected marijuana was coming from inside the truck, further investigation revealed he was in possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana, and he had possession of alcohol (bottle of vodka). Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulation states that a driver of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) may not be in possession of alcohol while on duty, operating, or physical control of a CMV.
Arnold was taken to the LaPorte County Jail in LaPorte and charged with possession of marijuana (less than 30 grams).