Sheriffs: Rig driver drove high on LIE

The driver of a tractor trailer is in jail on charges of driving his rig for nearly eight miles on the Long Island Expressway while high on drugs, the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office said.

Todd Christman, 42, of Queens, was arraigned Friday on charges of driving while impaired by drugs, possession of a controlled substance and traffic violations after deputies pulled him over earlier that day on the eastbound expressway about 1 p.m.

Deputies received a 911 call of a 2011 Peterbilt tractor trailer driving erratically near Exit 57 in Islandia and then stopped Christman at Exit 62 in Holtsville, according to a news release.

The distance between the two exits is about eight miles.

Christman, who was on his way to pick up a load of gravel in Middle Island, was evaluated by a deputy trained in drug-recognition techniques and was determined to be "impaired by drugs," the release said.

Christman was arrested and also found to be in possession of heroin and cocaine, authorities said.

Suffolk County Sheriff Vincent DeMarco said the operation of a truck on the expressway "magnifies the increasing problem of drugged driving."

He also said the sheriff's office is "committed to expanding our enforcement efforts" by providing drug-recognition training to deputies.

Christman is being held on bail of $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear Wednesday in First District Court in Central Islip.