A Kentucky-licensed truck driver arrested for driving the wrong way on a highway to avoid police while on drugs was declared an imminent hazard by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and ordered not to operate a commercial vehicle in interstate commerce.

In a case in which being declared an imminent hazard seems too obvious, Dalton McCoy Lampley was driving a large commercial truck on Interstate 24 in McCracken County, Ky., on March 17, when he crossed the median and began driving the wrong way in the westbound lanes.

Striking two cars and causing multiple collisions with police vehicles in pursuit, Lampley continued driving erratically as he headed into Calvert City, Ky. Spike strips were deployed by police to stop him, but Lampley changed lanes and drove his truck directly at a police officer who luckily escaped without injury.

Lampley’s truck was finally disabled near the intersection of Kentucky Highways 1523 and 62, where he was arrested and charged with reckless driving, assault, criminal mischief, and resisting arrest.

Following the arrest, Lampley admitted to police that he had used a Schedule II controlled substance earlier in the day and for the past several days.

The incident left six people injured as a result of collisions caused by the chase, according to the West Kentucky Star

In addition to his legal troubles from the incident, the FMCSA’s imminent hazard out-of-service order will keep Lampley from operating a commercial vehicle on threat of fines and criminal penalties. He may also be subject to civil penalty enforcement proceeding brought by the FMCSA for violating the agency’s safety regulations.

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