A potentially dangerous situation was swiftly handled by Vian Police officers last Monday when a semi-truck driver, later found to be heavily intoxicated, was arrested near a school zone.

According to Vian Police Chief Mark Harkins, the incident occurred around 2 p.m. on Highway 82, a roadway that will soon be bustling with school traffic as the academic year begins on Thursday.

Harkins said Officers Anna Males and Micah Harvey were on patrol when they observed a semi-truck making an illegal U-turn near the designated school zone.

The semi, which reportedly weighed close to 70,000 pounds based on its paperwork, failed to stop for officers and continued onto the on-ramp for I-40, 297 Eastbound.

Officers pursued and were able to stop the vehicle without further incident.

Upon investigation, the driver was found to have a preliminary breath alcohol content of 0.26% — more than six times the legal limit for commercial vehicle operators.

The arrest raises serious concerns, as the truck was being operated in an area soon to be frequented by schoolchildren.

“In a 70,000-pound vehicle, in a school zone, with our children soon coming and going, this could have been a tragedy,” Harkins said. “It is our mission to ensure these children are as safe off campus as they are on it.”

The driver was arrested and appropriately charged. Authorities have not yet released the driver’s name pending formal arraignment.

Chief Harkins commended Officers Males and Harvey for their quick action and dedication to community safety.

“Great work officers,” he stated. “This is exactly why we’re here — to protect.”

Vian Police urge all drivers to remain alert and cautious, especially as the school year resumes and traffic increases in school zones.