Motorist helps Payson police nab suspected drunken driver

Police arrested a suspected drunken driver Sunday after another motorist noticed his erratic driving and followed him to where his truck crashed into a utility pole and two other trucks.

Witnesses reported the driver was veering on and off the road and varying his speed dramatically about 3 a.m. as he drove north on Interstate 15 near Payson, troopers wrote in a press statement.

One witness followed the truck off exit 253 near Spanish Fork. The driver apparently realized he was being followed and accelerated to about 80 mph as he entered Spanish Fork on State Road 164.

The witness lost sight of the truck but then saw a flash of light and sparks as the truck left the road and knocked over a power pole at the IFA Country Store, troopers wrote. The man also struck a 1-ton truck and a 3/4-ton truck parked at the IFA, damaging both beyond repair, troopers wrote.

The driver had a blood alcohol content of 0.172 — more than twice the legal limit — nearly four hours after the crash, troopers wrote. He was treated at a hospital, released and arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.

ealberty@sltrib.com