Trucker on turnpike accused of driving erratically arrested for DUI, heroin possession

A truck driver from Latrobe accused of refusing to allow other motorists on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to pass and leading troopers on a 10-mile pursuit was arrested Tuesday, accused of driving under the influence, possession of heroin and multiple traffic charges, state police said.

A trooper had to maneuver to the front of the car carrier operated by Aaron J. Wano, 42, about two miles east of the Allegheny Valley Interchange in Allegheny County in the westbound lanes and apply his brakes to force Wano to a stop at milepost 50 just after 1 p.m. Monday, according to court documents.

Trooper Dale Vukovich reported the pursuit began along the turnpike in Penn Township near milepost 60 when he was on routine patrol and noticed a black SUV attempt to pass Wano’s truck hauling a car trailer.

“I observed the commercial vehicle swerve into the SUV’s lane of travel. The SUV then backed off to avoid being struck,” Vukovich wrote.

Vukovich said he activated his lights and siren in an unsuccessful attempt to alert Wano to pull off the highway. The trooper said in court documents he briefly pulled alongside Wano’s cab for a period “and he still wasn’t stopping, acknowledging me or attempting to stop his commercial vehicle.”

Vukovich said Wano’s speed ranged between 43 and 48 mph through the 70-mph zone and continued to swerve between lanes as he continued west.

Trooper James Daggett caught up in his patrol car, passed Wano and braked to eventually bring Wano’s rig “to a rolling stop,” Vukovich said.

According to police reports, Wano’s truck stopped in the right westbound lane, causing a traffic backup.

After being stopped, troopers said Wano was examined by a drug recognition specialist who believed he was under the influence of a controlled substance. After Wano was taken into custody, police searched his wallet and seized five stamp bags of suspected heroin, reports said.

Wano was arraigned on charges of DUI, failing to yield to emergency vehicles, fleeing and eluding police, illegal possession of a controlled substance, careless driving, disregarding passing lanes, driving too slow for conditions and illegally parking on a highway. He was released from the county prison on $25,000 unsecured bond pending a Feb. 22 preliminary hearing.

Wano could not be reached for comment. He did not have an attorney listed in court documents.