Trucker in recent deadly bridge strike may face charges, police say 

The truck driver involved in a recent bridge strike that killed a motorist may face charges for the incident, Colorado State Patrol says. 

Police report that 52-year-old Darnell Yingling was driving along Interstate 25 near Mead, Colorado when the trackhoe he was hauling struck an overpass. The collision sent debris crashing into a nearby car, killing the driver and injuring a 10-year-old boy. 

“It does look like it hit that very first girder, kept going through and it looks like it took a little bit out of three different pieces of the underside as well as ripping up a bunch of rebar,” said Jared Fiel, the Northeastern Regional Communications Manager for the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

CBS News reports that the clearance of the overpass was just over 17 feet, and that loads over 14 feet need a special permit. Yingling did not have any permits for the load he was hauling. CSP says charges have not yet been filed. 

CDOT is currently working to determine if the overpass is repairable, but believes it will remain closed for an extended period of time. CDOT will likely contact Yingling’s insurance to covet the cost of repairs. 

“The long-term plan is for there to be a new bridge there as we expand I-25 in that section but that’s not currently funded yet,” said Fiel.