Cops: Beer Truck Driver was High on Two Drugs and Had Heroin

GENESEO – The Virginia driver who rolled his tractor trailer on 390 last Wednesday is now in custody for allegedly driving under the influence of two drugs and possessing heroin.

According to a press release from Sheriff Thomas Dougherty, Robert Shenk, 56, of Rockingham, VA, was arrested for misdemeanor Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, misdemeanor Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, and several Vehicle and Traffic Laws and Commercial Motor Vehicle violations.

On Nov. 2 at approximately 3:30 a.m., Deputy Sheriffs responded to 390 in the Town of Geneseo for a tractor trailer roll over. The driver of the tractor trailer was identified as Shenk.

The truck had rolled onto the driver’s side, trapping him.

Shenk was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries that he sustained from the crash.

Deputies continued to investigate the cause of the crash at the scene on the Interstate, as well as at Strong Memorial. The deputies allege that Shenk was in possession of heroin, hypodermic needles, and other drug paraphernalia.

Deputy Brandan Flickner, who is a Certified Drug Recognition Expert, conducted an evaluation on Shenk and alleged that Shenk was under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant and a narcotic analgesic and could not operate a vehicle safely.

Also on scene for the Sheriff’s Office was Sergeant James Merrick, Deputy Matthew Moran from the Forensic Identification Unit and Deputy Dave Richardson from the Commercial Vehicle Unit.

Upon Shenk’s release from the hospital, he was charged by Deputy Martin Herkimer.

Shenk was turned over to Central Booking Deputies at the Livingston County Jail for processing and pre-arraignment detention.

West Sparta Town Justice Gene Moffat arraigned Shenk and ordered him held at the Livingston County Jail on $2,000 cash bail or $4,000 bond.