A subcontracting business owner working on the Interstate 77 tolls construction project has been charged with impaired driving after North Carolina Highway Patrol (NCHSP) troopers arrested him on the job on Aug. 17.
The NCSHP said Joaquin Grancho, who owns of Pavers, Walls and Stamped Concrete, of Fort Mill, SC, was driving the wrong way on I-77 in the median in the construction zone. Troopers said Grancho’s employees witnessed it and were able to get Grancho to stop and surrender his keys, WSOC-TV reported.
When troopers responded, they reported Grancho was staggering and had a strong odor of alcohol. Troopers say Grancho blew a .05 about an hour after the initial stop, but he was arrested due to probable cause.
The NCSHP said Grancho’s has been arrested for DWI four times since 2011. In addition to being impaired, he was driving with a suspended license, Troopers said.
The broadcaster reports that Sugar Creek Construction, the Cintra-affiliated company building the toll lanes, said the company was made aware of the arrest the day of the incident.
Pavers, Walls and Stamped Concrete has been working on the toll lane project for 1 1/2 years, mainly been doing concrete flat work, Sugar Creek’s spokesperson said.
“The company, as a whole, has performed well on the project and we will not punish the local employees for the poor choice that was made of Mr. Grancho,” Heather DeLapp said. “The incident is currently being reviewed internally and disciplinary actions will be taken accordingly. We have a zero tolerance policy for alcohol-related incidents and any unsafe behaviors in the work area.”
All subcontractors are selected based on previous work history, experience and price. DeLapp said. NCDOT approved the selection.
“The contractor will have the opportunity to address this matter,” Jennifer Thompson of NCDOT said. “If we feel the employee needs to be removed and the contractor does not take that step, we have guidelines in our statewide contract specifications that allow us to do so.”
Grancho was booked into Mecklenburg County Jail that evening afternoon on a $1,000 bond.
Pavers, Walls and Stamped Concrete is based at a house in Fort Mill, WSOC reported.