A Morton Grove man drove into Long Grove’s iconic covered bridge Monday, marking the 42nd time the span has been struck since it reopened on Aug. 14, 2020 after being severely damaged by a truck two years earlier, authorities said.
Lake County sheriff’s police cited the driver of an 11-foot U-Haul box truck, Hui Xu, 58, for disobeying a traffic control device. Xu was traveling westbound on Robert Parker Coffin Road.
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Xu must appear in branch court, according to sheriff’s office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Long Grove bridge at 2:15 p.m. Monday and found the truck wedged under the bridge.
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Long Grove Village President Bill Jacob and Covelli said the truck’s tires had to be deflated in order to get the U-Haul out. The bridge has a maximum height requirement of eight foot, six inches, which is posted on the top of the bridge.
“Drivers are ignoring or just not paying attention to the warning signs,” Jacobs said.
Covelli indicated that Xu apparently, “disregarded the footage signage, as well as the no-trucks signage and drove under the bridge.”
The bridge remained blocked for about an hour, he said.
“There does not appear to be structural damage,” Covelli said. “However, the village is having their structural engineer respond to ensure that is the case.
“It is imperative that operators of any truck or large-style vehicle be cognizant when crossing any bridge,” he added. “Most bridges in residential areas have weight and height restrictions.
“The bridge in downtown Long Grove is no different.”
