MIDLAND COUNTY, Texas — A portion of I-20 is temporarily closed Thursday afternoon after two oversized loads struck the overpass at Cotton Flat Road.
According to MPD, a truck carrying an excavator westbound on I-20 hit the bridge around 3:09 p.m.
The driver fled the scene, but was later apprehended at I-20 and Loop 250.
He was identified as Ray Hannah and cited for over height and overweight-group of axles and received warnings for fail to secure heavy machinery, fail to secure load, tire load exceeds weight rating-federal violation, over allowed gross weight, striking the bridge and over tire size limitation.
Around 3:40 p.m., as crews were investigating the damage, a second truck struck the bridge though they caused minimal to no damage.
That driver was identified as Bryan Niemtschk of Gary, Texas. He was cited for over height, failing to inspect emergency equipment warnings for striking the bridge and no warning devices.
Both vehicles have been placed on a federal out of service order.
TxDOT engineers closed both I-20 and Cotton Flat Road in the area while surveying the damage.
As of 7:45 p.m., I-20 was reopened but the overpass has closed on Cotton Flat Road until further notice. There is no timeline on when it will be reopened.