[Orangetxguy]

Just read this article on LandLine magazine;

10/1/2012


Driver who crashed into historic bridge charged with felony


By Kimberely Lennard, Land Line staff writer
A tractor-trailer driver who drove his rig over a 139-year-old historic covered bridge and caused extensive damage says his GPS directed him to do so. Gerard Hudson, 46, of Waukegan, IL, has been charged with a Class D felony of criminal mischief.

The complaint also cites Hudson with driving a commercial motor vehicle while disqualified and a false report of driver’s record of duty status.

Hudson drove a 1998 Volvo VN and empty trailer over the Spencerville covered bridge in De Kalb County, IN, on the afternoon of Sept. 26, according to the crash report. Hudson is a driver for J.F. Freight Company Inc. in Palatine, IL.

Hudson was driving east on County Road 68 near County Road 59 and entered the bridge even though the height limit was not tall enough to accommodate the semi, the report states. The truck struck the bridge’s entrance, but Hudson continued through the bridge, damaging “all of the roof supports and both ends of the bridge.”

Hudson told the De Kalb County sheriff’s officer that his GPS directed him to the bridge. Officer Gerald Kline told Land Line there is another bridge about 1,000 feet south that is visible from the covered bridge.

The height of the bridge is listed as 12.5 feet with a width of 15 feet, according to a website for the bridge. Built in 1873, the Spencerville covered bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. The preliminary estimate to repair the bridge is $114,000. The bridge remains closed.

He remains in jail on $1,500 bail, according to police.



Copyright © OOIDA

I can't understand how a 46 year old man can use such a lame excuse for his own stupidity. Why can't a grown man own up??

[repete]

Originally Posted by Orangetxguy

Just read this article on LandLine magazine;




I can't understand how a 46 year old man can use such a lame excuse for his own stupidity. Why can't a grown man own up??

"Hudson told the De Kalb County sheriff’s officer that his GPS directed him to the bridge. Officer Gerald Kline told Land Line there is another bridge about 1,000 feet south that is visible from the covered bridge."

That's the gotta be the best line!LOL!!
Even I when still wet behind the ears and on one of my first solo runs knew better than to drive across that wood bridge in front of me!
It's not a driver shortage! It's a shortage of QUALIFIED drivers!

[Mr. Ford95]

Originally Posted by repete

It's not a driver shortage! It's a shortage of QUALIFIED drivers!

It did say he was disqualified so your right there.

[Blacksheep]

Originally Posted by Orangetxguy

Just read this article on LandLine magazine;




I can't understand how a 46 year old man can use such a lame excuse for his own stupidity. Why can't a grown man own up??

I often think the same about our president, personal responsibility is a thing of the past.

[Windwalker]

The last years I drove, I used a GPS quite a lot. Loved it. But, I ALWAYS CHECKED if it was taking me along truck routes. I've been across bridges that I questioned, but the customers told me that was the only way in or out. I generally called for directions, then compared it to the GPS. If they didn't match, I would modify the GPS. I thought it was only common sense. But, I NEVER ran into anything like that. Might have if I'd simply followed the GPS.

[Roadhog]

Originally Posted by repete

Even I when still wet behind the ears and on one of my first solo runs knew better than to drive across that wood bridge in front of me!
It's not a driver shortage! It's a shortage of QUALIFIED drivers!

... I would have tried to back out.. after aboot halfway.

[Roadhog]

Yooper Stump Jumpers...

[Orangetxguy]

Originally Posted by Roadhog

Yooper Stump Jumpers...

OH YEAH!!! Now THAT'S what I'm talking about!!!





Wait! There is a difference between a mountain logging road and a country-side "Covered Bridge"!!

[Malaki86]

Years ago I had a load that I was supposed to pick up in Kentucky. My dispatcher told me to call for directions because they were confusing. When I called to get the directions, I stopped them when he told me to drive across the wooden bridge after 2 miles on a dirt road.

[Mr. Ford95]

Originally Posted by Malaki86

Years ago I had a load that I was supposed to pick up in Kentucky. My dispatcher told me to call for directions because they were confusing. When I called to get the directions, I stopped them when he told me to drive across the wooden bridge after 2 miles on a dirt road.

You must finish the story and not leave us hanging.......did you find another way in or did you have to drive across that wooden bridge on the dirt road?