Load TOO TALL for overpass, 2 killed (including driver)

Discussion in 'Trucking Accidents' started by MaximumTexas, Aug 1, 2010.

  1. MaximumTexas

    MaximumTexas Light Load Member

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    THEY TOLD US IN CDL SCHOOL TO "ALWAYS KNOW THE HEIGHT OF YOUR LOADS", Link to story is below:

    http://montgomerycountypolicereporter.com/?p=9567

    An accident just after 11:30am Saturday took two lives and sent another person to Hermann Hospital by a Life Flight Helicopter.
    According to DPS Trooper Schraub who is with the Texas Department of Public Safety San Jacinto County Office, a 1991 GMC 18-wheeler loaded with two large logging tractors and was southbound on US 59 just south of Shepherd. Just prior to Shepherd there are warning signs telling drivers to use an alternate route if their load is to tall. Evidently the driver Hollis Taylor, age 58 of Silsby, Texas didn’t realize his load was to tall. As he went under railroad trestle that crosses US 59 at an angle his load struck the trestle. Upon striking it the front tractor was pushed off the side of the trailer and onto a 2009 Toyota driven by Harry Wilkes age 68 of Brazoria. Wilkes was critically injured and flown to Hermann Hospital in Houston by Life Flight.
     
    HFC and Giggles the Original Thank this.
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  3. Roadmedic

    Roadmedic Road Train Member

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    The problem with the lights there on 59 is that they are not accurate.

    I pulled a van through there, It was 13 6. The lights told me to go around. He may of had that happen before.
     
  4. MaximumTexas

    MaximumTexas Light Load Member

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    I think you're right, this is at least the 3rd time I've seen it happen with that particular overpass. They are supposed to be building a higher one.
     
  5. HEAVY DUDE

    HEAVY DUDE Road Train Member

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    That bridge is well marked about low height. The detour is also well marked. The load also needed permits that would have had the detour on it.
     
    Injun Thanks this.
  6. MaximumTexas

    MaximumTexas Light Load Member

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    I didn't know that. Sounds like somebody screwed up big time. That's good to know though.
     
  7. runningman0661

    runningman0661 Road Train Member

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    MEASURE! MEASURE! MEASURE! I pull over size loads and I always get my heigth pole and measure my loads. It sounds to me like the guy didn't even have permits, and if he did he didn't follow the permitted route. Now someone has lost there life because a driver didn't take the time to check the heigth of his load and follow the permitted route.
     
    Giggles the Original Thanks this.
  8. RESETXRESET

    RESETXRESET Bobtail Member

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    As permit load driver, measuring is a big part of the job. I actually had a load that changed height on me in the middle of the route. It was a power only load and their trailer's airbags suddenly decided to overextend, causing the height to increase by over 4 inches. Luckily, my escort caught it and I had the trailer repaired before anything went wrong.

    I learned a ###### valuable lesson that day--recheck the height and airbags every time you stop when hauling anything tall or close...
     
    MaximumTexas Thanks this.
  9. passingthru69

    passingthru69 Road Train Member

    Not sure if they needed permits or not.
    Some states will exempt farm equipment and logging units.

    But he could of had a Tx. blanket permit that will allow him to move loads up to a certain size and weight on that permit.
    They are good up to 1 year and now cost 4,000.00

    They probably used it and just never worried about height. Dumb move on their part.

    Sad to hear the loss of peoples lives due to their dumb act.
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2010
  10. rachi

    rachi Road Train Member

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    Id like to know how the trucks driver died. You would think that when he hit the overpass that the equipment he was hauling would tumble off the back of the trailer, but somehow something swung around and hit on the truck drivers door and killed him. too weird.
     
  11. MaximumTexas

    MaximumTexas Light Load Member

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    I think DOT had a camera there, but I didn't see any tape yet.
     
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