This morning, a truck driver who damaged the Spenceville Covered Bridge learned his fate. DeKalb Superior Court I Judge Kevin Wallace sentenced Gerald Hudson to serve 180 days in jail. On December 12, Hudson pleaded guilty to criminal mischief with damage more than $2,500, a Class D felony.
Original Story:
An Indiana truck driver followed the directions his GPS gave him, and it led him on a path straight to jail.
Gerard Hudson, 46 was driving through Spencerville , Indiana and his GPS was leading the way. It directed him to on a path over the historic Spencerville Covered Bridge.
The bridge has a clearance of 12 feet 6 inches. Unaware of an alternate bridge his GPS did not direct him to, Hudson continued on the GPS recommended path and drove through the 140-year-old bridge.
Hudson made it across the bridge safely; however, the bridge sustained serious damage. Some estimate the damage at $300,000.
“Hudson was arrested and booked into the DeKalb County Jail on a felony charge of criminal mischief. He was being held Wednesday night in lieu of $1,500 bail. County Highway Superintendent Eric Patton closed the red-and-white bridge to traffic because of the damage. Structural engineers will be contacted to assess the condition of the bridge, the sheriff’s department said,” the Journal Gazette reported.