A large steel beam rests on a Potter’s Home Center delivery truck after the top of the truck scraped against the bottom of a railroad trestle on Elza Drive on Friday morning.
A delivery truck for Potter’s Home Center scraped against the bottom of a railroad trestle on Elza Drive on Friday morning, and a large steel beam from the bridge ended up on top of the truck, authorities said.
The 1997 Ford F80 truck was driven by Dennis Randolf Neal, 44, of Jamestown. He was not injured.
An Oak Ridge Police Department report said the bridge is marked with 11’5″ signs. Neal told police he had driven through the area before.
Neal was driving north on Elza Drive, about 0.5 miles south of Oak Ridge Turnpike. After he heard the scraping, he told police, he looked up and saw the bridge rail on top of the truck.
Rick Morrow says
What an awesome photo! John, did you get that shot?
John Huotari says
Thank you, Rick. Yes, I took that picture.
Angi Agle says
Wow — sort of makes me wonder how firmly the beam was attached in the first place, if the driver noticed nothing more than a “scraping.”
John Huotari says
A few people have been surprised that the truck didn’t appear to sustain more damage considering the force that it seems would be required to pull that beam from the trestle.
Jason Allison says
And to think there is a considerable amount of train traffic across that bridge too?
Kay Williamson says
no one cares to ask the real question, IS THE BRIDGE SAFE,, SHOULDN’T TDOT BE CALLED TO CHECK IT…
Jason Allison says
The bridge falls under CSX. I’m sure they will repair it.
Kay Williamson says
Jason tdot is also responsible because car travel the road and if something can fall on a car traveling down the road tdot job is to make sure all roads are safe….. a falling down rock slide or bridge is still tdot responsibility to check on it also. companies always do not check on bridges or do anything to prevent damages even though they should.
Jason Allison says
Not true. TDOT has no dog in this race. CSX is fully responsible. If there is anything left as far as road work COR will cover it.