Nanaimo RCMP arrested an allegedly impaired driver of an 18-wheeler fuel truck who they say had empty beer cans beside his seat.

According to a news release Thursday, the incident happened Oct. 25 at about 9 p.m. on the Nanaimo Parkway near the Fifth Street exit.

鈥溾�橵ery troubling and shocking鈥� were just some of the comments made by the investigating officers,鈥� said Const. Gary O鈥橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman.

鈥淎lthough the fuel tanks were later found to be empty, given the sheer size of the vehicle, and distance travelled in an impaired state, it was simply a miracle that a tragic accident had not occurred.鈥�

The press release notes that RCMP were alerted to a possible impaired truck driver operating his vehicle 鈥渆rratically鈥� southbound from Parksville.

Officers arrested the 46-year-old driver for impaired driving 鈥渂ased on the symptoms seen and evidence gathered.鈥� The semi-trailer was impounded and the driver was taken to the Nanaimo RCMP detachment, where police say he provided breath samples that were 鈥渁lmost three times鈥� the legal limit.

The driver, who is from the north Island, has been released with a court date of Dec. 17.

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