Texas trucker arrested for DUI after roof goes flying into other vehicle

Cedric Thurston Ross King, who was arrested, and the box truck he was driving that had lost its roof. (NHSP photos)

LEBANON - A trucker was found to be driving under the influence on Tuesday after police caught up with him following an incident in which the roof of his box truck became detached and struck another vehicle.
The bizarre scene unfolded around 3:15 p.m. as State Police Communications Unit received a report of a vehicle that struck a large piece of metal on Interstate 89 near Exit 17 in Lebanon.
The responding trooper learned the piece of metal was the roof of a large box truck type commercial motor vehicle. The operator of the commercial motor vehicle stopped briefly at the scene but left prior to troopers arriving, according to a state police press release.
The person whose vehicle hit the truck's detached roof was able to provide a description of the box truck as well as a license plate. A short time later, officers from the Canaan Police Department observed the suspect vehicle traveling on Route 4 in Canaan. Canaan Police Officers noted that the roof was missing as well as other safety issues with the vehicle.
State Troopers and Canaan Police Officers conducted an investigation and determined that the driver of the box truck, Cedric Thurston Ross King, 40, of Houston, Texas, struck a bridge in New York the previous day, causing damage to the vehicle's roof.
King continued to drive the damaged vehicle until the roof completely departed the vehicle on I-89 in Lebanon, the press release noted.
Troopers determined King was under the influence and arrested him for driving under the influence and conduct after an accident. The New Hampshire State Police Troop - G Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement responded to the scene and conducted a safety inspection on the driver and vehicle. The driver was placed out of service for 24 hours for being under the influence of narcotics and having a false logbook. The truck was placed out of service for numerous safety violations and subsequently towed from the scene.
King was released on personal recognizance bail and pending a court appearance in the 2nd Circuit Court - District Division Lebanon in November.