Cops: Truck driver stopped on LIE had 45 license suspensions

A truck driver with numerous New York State motor vehicle convictions dating back to the 1980s was pulled over Wednesday in Suffolk County on a safety violation -- and then, State Police said, a trooper found that the driver had a record of 45 license suspensions.

The trooper noticed a dump truck with broken taillights on the Long Island Expressway in Suffolk County on Wednesday afternoon and pulled it over near the Deer Park Avenue exit, state police said.

The driver, Venanda Johnson, 46, of Springfield Gardens, Queens, was charged with felony unlicensed operation, and with several violations for faulty equipment and for operating a vehicle that was overweight by 25,000 pounds, police said.

Johnson faces an appearance at a later date in First District Court, Central Islip.

He could not be reached for comment Thursday at his Springfield Gardens home.

The stop was made by troopers from the State Police Vehicle Enforcement Unit, based at the Troop L barracks in Farmingdale.