Hauled Forklift Hits Interstate Overpass

An industrial forklift, which was positioned on a flatbed trailer that was being hauled by a wrecker, smashed into the underside of a bridge that carries Interstate 84 above Hawleyville Road (Route 25) at about 11 am July 11, police said.

Police said trucker Richard Ibsen, 46, of Milford was driving a 2000 International wrecker, which was hauling a forklift mounted atop a flatbed trailer, when the top of that forklift smashed into the bottom of the I-84 overpass above Hawleyville Road at Exit 9.

Although that overpass provided a 15-foot, 6-inch clearance, the forklift atop the trailer was 16 feet, 6 inches tall, police said. Ibsen was not injured in the trucking mishap.

Police called the state Department of Transportation to the scene to inspect the underside of the overpass, which received minimal damage in the crash. The forklift was damaged by the impact.

After investigating, police issued Ibsen an infraction ticket for hauling a load with excessive height.