PAWNEE COUNTY —A semi truck driver accused of drug crimes after an accident avoided a trial this week and changed his plea in Pawnee County.
Javier Rubio Montoya, 45 of Horizon City, Texas, pleaded Guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine and Improper Stopping or Parking on a Roadway, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.
In exchange for the plea, the state agreed to dismiss charges of Fleeing and Eluding resulting in an accident and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
In support of the plea, McNett advised the Court that had the matter proceeded to trial the evidence would have shown that at around 3:00 a.m. on February 18, 2022, law enforcement dispatch received a 911 call from a concerned citizen that there was a semi-tractor trailer with its lights on parked in the southbound lane of US Highway 183 in northern Pawnee County.
A Pawnee County Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to the location. Montoya was discovered to be the sole occupant of the semi.
The deputy requested Montoya follow the deputy to a flatter location so that their vehicles could be more easily seen by any oncoming traffic. When the officer pulled over, however, the semi continued southbound.
The deputy activated his emergency lights and began following the semi. After several miles the semi began weaving erratically, striking guardrails on both sides of the roadway, and ultimately came to rest in the west ditch. No one was injured in the accident.
The deputy arrested Montoya at the scene without incident. Montoya advised the deputy he had fallen asleep. Law enforcement conducted an inventory search prior to the semi being towed away, and a small quantity of methamphetamine was found in the Montoya’s belongings.
Montoya is scheduled for sentencing on May 18, 2023. He remains free on bond.