Gravel dump truck crashes through Civil War-era covered bridge falling into Maine river

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Gravel dump truck crashes through Civil War-era covered bridge falling into Maine river

DAILYMAIL.COM
By Noa Halff
25 August 2024

Horror has ensued after a man decided to drive a 36,000-pound dump truck filled with gravel across a Civil War-era covered wooden bridge.

The 19th-century Babb's Bridge in Gorham collapsed on Friday at around 12:45 pm when a Ford F-750 dump truck, loaded with crushed gravel, attempted to cross the fragile structure.

Driver Joshua Polewarzyk, 37, of Limington, attempted to cross the 183-year-old bridge when its wooden floor gave way - sending the vehicle plunging into the river below.

The truck, weighing approximately 36,000 pounds, was nearly 30,000 pounds over the bridge's posted 6,000-pound capacity.

Maine Department of Transportation spokesperson Paul Merrill called the incident 'unprecedented' saying that 'this is a first' he's ever seen.

(more)
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13778607/dump-truck-falls-civil-war-bridge-maine.html

Hard to believe that a guy driving a dump truck did not know what he was doing. Driving a truck like that carries with it certain responsibilities. I don't pretend to know what was going on in his head at the time. But this is well past the stupid category into the area of idiocy.

At least he lost his load and screwed his truck as a minimal fitting punishment. I hope, but doubt, they will sue him for the cost of repairs to the bridge. Stupidity is expensive, as it should be.

I am just surprised he did not get at least jail time? In my way of thinking, 36,000 lbs. over a 6000 lbs. limited bridge constitutes willful destruction of property.

[PeteS in CA]

The "New New Math". Probably aided by cheap beer.

[catfish1957]

See he only had minor injuries.

Otherwise, we'd have the leading Darwin Award Candidate for '24. 

36K lb. truck on bridge designed for 6K weight is like  doing a 50 foot bungee cord jump with a 60 foot rope.   

[cato potatoe]

She needs to pay for the bridge repair. 

[catfish1957]

She needs to pay for the bridge repair.

Kind of scary that there are liscensed truck drivers in the great state of Maine who have the common sense of a Pigeon.

[cato potatoe]

Kind of scary that there are liscensed truck drivers in the great state of Maine who have the common sense of a Pigeon.

It boggles the mind.  There are a few covered bridges in NC, and I am nervous about crossing them in my 2500 pound roadster. 

[deb]

Kind of scary that there are liscensed truck drivers in the great state of Maine who have the common sense of a Pigeon.

Hey now, don’t be insulting pigeons…