PHOENIX — The SWAT team situation on I-17 that caused a major traffic jam in north Phoenix was caused by a truck driver on drugs, according to court documents.
DPS troopers were called out to a truck on the highway near Dixileta Drive around 9:30 p.m. after the driver called 911 to report a pair of armed men who were trying to hijack the semi and its load while he was driving.
Troopers stopped Jorge Veleta-Corrales, 22, who gave them incoherent information about the suspects while a SWAT team was called in.
Meanwhile, all southbound lanes of traffic were shut down.
After a brief standoff, troopers found that there was no one inside the truck.
A trooper gave Veleta-Corrales a sobriety test and noted that he was under the influence.
Investigators found a pack of Asenlix, an amphetamine, in the cab with several pills missing.
Veleta-Corrales is from Commerce City, Colorado, and has been charged with DUI.
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Driving Safety Tips:
The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) offers driving tips to help keep people safe on the road.
"There’s always room for improvement when it comes to road safety," the department said on its website.
ADOT's suggestions include:
- Don’t speed or drive aggressively
- Never drive while under the influence of substances
- Avoid distractions while driving
- Wear your seatbelt and make sure all passengers are doing the same
- When an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road, move over
- Stay extra aware in work zones
- Be prepared for weather conditions that make driving dangerous
"Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT’s Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511, downloading the AZ 511 app and through ADOT’s Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT," the department said.