An Erie truck driver who crashed on Interstate 79 in May and caused lengthy delays has been charged with driving under the influence.

State police on Wednesday charged Francis L. Carroll, 53, with a first-offense DUI involving a controlled substance, along with other traffic violations related to the crash that had crews working to clear the scene for much of the day on May 10.

According to a state police news release, around 2:23 a.m. May 11, Carroll was traveling south when he crashed his 2015 Freightliner Casadia near mile marker 87.

“At that location, (Carroll) lost control of his vehicle and exited the eastern side of I-79, traveled through the median and struck the guide rail and overhead sign on the northbound lanes of I-79,” the release said.

According to charging documents, police approached Carroll to investigate, and the driver initially told them he had fallen asleep. Police said Carroll then struggled to find his license, registration and proof of insurance.

“While speaking with Carroll, I observed that his pupils were constricted, and his speech was low and raspy,” said the investigating officer. “Carroll's demeanor was very slow and sluggish.”

Police said they arrested Carroll, and at 4:10 a.m. he agreed to have his blood drawn, which later showed he had fentanyl and norfentanyl in his system.

During that same time, other state troopers and firefighters were controlling traffic on the interstate while PennDOT and towing company workers spent hours removing the rig and debris from the scene.

Crews remained at the scene for more than five hours, and some reports said traffic was affected until the early afternoon.

Carroll is scheduled to have a preliminary arraignment directly followed by a preliminary hearing July 13 before District Judge Wayne Seibel.