Driver accused of DUI crashes tractor-trailer into at least 12 cars in Del. neighborhood

NEWARK, Del. (WPVI) -- A suspect accused of driving under the influence crashed a flatbed tractor-trailer into at least 12 parked vehicles, as well as multiple mailboxes and a street sign, in New Castle County, Delaware, early Saturday morning.

Police identified the driver as 53-year-old Brian Johnston of Newark.

Residents in the Harmony Woods neighborhood awoke to widespread damage, where destroyed vehicles, debris and skid marks were left behind.

"We came out to police vehicles, red and blue everywhere and lots of destruction," resident Clarissa Pesce said.

For some residents, the damage extended beyond the financial cost of repairs.

"It was gut-wrenching. It wasn't more the physical damage. It's the sentimental part of our truck. It was our son's vehicle and he's no longer with us," Pesce said.

According to police, the tractor-trailer dragged some vehicles down the road and onto neighboring lawns. Authorities said the truck also struck four mailboxes and a street sign.

"It's crazy. It could have been someone's house or somebody walking," said resident Heather Bachman-Smith.

She said Johnston stopped outside her home on Melodic Drive and residents called police.

"I'm trying to wake him up and he wasn't answering. He wasn't responding," Bachman-Smith said. "He finally woke up and was dazed and confused."

Police said Johnston failed field sobriety tests and was taken into custody. Officers also recovered narcotics from the truck, including cocaine and fentanyl, according to authorities.

As residents begin assessing and repairing the damage, many are focused on recovering from an incident that affected numerous households.

"It's just heartbreaking. This is a really good, quiet neighborhood. Not a lot of problems in here, so to see something like this and how many people were affected, it was a lot," Pesce said.

Johnston is facing several charges in connection with the incident, according to police.

GT Express Inc., which owns the truck, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.