New details on over height cargo truck that crashed into Thruway overpass

New York State Police said the height of a cargo truck that crashed into a South Nyack overpass on Aug. 31 and caused hours of backed-up traffic toward the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge was reported inaccurately because of a measuring malfunction.

A truck driver from Hollywood, Florida, was driving southbound on the New York State Thruway when a cylindrical steel tower attached to his truck damaged two girders on the South Broadway overpass in South Nyack.

The height of the truck with the cargo was initially reported as being 3 feet, 6 inches over the Thruway's height limit of 13 feet, 6 inches. New York State Police later said that after the impact of the crash, which pushed the cargo flat onto the bed of the truck, the truck actually measured 13 feet, 11 inches, which still violated Thruway truck height regulations.

This isn't the first time a truck hit the South Broadway overpass. The Aug. 31 accident marked the fourth time the overpass was hit in the last year. The overpass is the closest to the bridge on the Rockland side. For drivers coming from the Tarrytown side, it's the first overpass they see. For drivers crossing the bridge from Nyack, it is the last overpass they see before the bridge. Drivers will recognize the overpass by the distinct colorful mural painted on the side as a part of the bridge walkway.

State police said the truck driver did not have a permit to drive the truck on the Thruway and was issued tickets for violating the height restrictions. The Thruway Authority said that all trucks taller than 13 feet, 7 inches and over 80,000 pounds require a Special Hauling Permit to access the Thruway.

All trucks 16 feet or taller can only travel on the Thruway from Exit 15 to Exit 15A in Suffern and from Exit 61 in the town of Ripley, on I-90 near Lake Erie in Chatauqua County, to the Pennsylvania State line. According to the Thruway Authority, these trucks would be directed onto state roads with special clearance to ensure road safety.

Drivers who need the Special Hauling Permit must order it online with the Highway Oversize and Overweight Credentialing System and must have the permit approved 24 hours before travel.

The Thruway Authority says it issues around 60,000 Special Hauling Permits annually and strictly enforces all measurement and weight regulations. It says the overwhelming majority of truck drivers and companies comply.

A first-time violation of Thruway permit laws results in a $1,000 fine or 30 days in jail, according to state police. Subsequent violations result in a $2,000 fine and 60 days in jail.

The Thruway Authority says it will pursue legal action to recover the damages resulting from the accident. The Town of Orangetown court will handle the case.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Thruway cargo truck that struck overpass had no permit, was overheight