INDIANAPOLIS – A trucking company that caused more than $1 million in damage to a highly traveled bridge has been cited with 11 different violations.
On Jan. 10, a mobile car crusher from Indianapolis-based Twins Trucking crashed into the overpass on I-465 at Rockville Road on the city's west side.
PREVIOUS | Car crusher hits, damages overpass on I-465 NB
After the crash, Indiana State Police conducted an inspection of the truck and issued 11 different violations to the company, including failure to prevent cargo shifting and a dimension violation (width/height/length), records show.
A flat bed trailer was traveling northbound when the hydraulic arm on the car crusher extended upward, striking the overpass support beams of the Rockville Road bridge.
PHOTOS | Car crusher hits, damages overpass on I-465 NB
Police issued other violations that came as a result of the crash, such as a cracked frame and inoperative brakes.
The violations can be publicly viewed on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website.
“This is something insurance companies can view, potential customers, as well as state and federal inspectors,” said F/Sgt. Ty Utterback with Indiana State Police. “We use this type of information when determining whether to perform road inspections on trucks.”
Indiana State Police did not issue the Twins Trucking driver a ticket or a citation for hitting the bridge.
However, the Indiana Department of Transportation plans to bill Twins Trucking and its insurance for the cost of repairs to the bridge, which currently total more than $1 million.
“The cost of repairs will far surpass a $100 ticket issued to the driver,” Utterback said. “I think it’s pretty obvious they did something wrong and they’re going to pay for it, so I’m not sure what a ticket would serve at this point.”
Federal records show Twins Trucking has 19 vehicles and 13 drivers.
The owner of Twins Trucking, Tom Halcomb, declined to answer questions from Call 6 Investigates about the company’s safety record in January.
"I sincerely apologize. It was a mechanical failure and I've been advised not to say anything," Halcomb said earlier this year.
Call 6 Investigates found that Twins Trucking has a satisfactory safety rating with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in 2009, which typically means they meet safety standards.
Despite its safety rating, federal inspectors cited Twins Trucking with five unsafe driving violations -- including following too close and speeding -- over the past two years.
In addition to the Jan. 10 crash, federal records show the company has had five different crashes since December 2014, including two in which someone was injured.
Records also show the U.S. Department of Transportation fined the company $4,450 in 2015 for not systematically inspecting, repairing or maintaining its vehicles and equipment. They were also fined $3,590 in 2016 for an issue related to return-to-duty testing.
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In March 2016, the feds cited the company for a truck tractor that was leaking, spilling, blowing, or had falling cargo.
"It is the truck driver and the carrier who are responsible for ensuring the load is fully compliant with cargo securement safety regulations," said Duane DeBruyne, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration spokesman.
Call 6 Investigates was unable to reach Twins Trucking for comment Tuesday.
Repairs to the bridge are still ongoing and should be finished by May, according to INDOT spokesperson Nate Riggs.
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Crews are currently installing reinforcing steel before pouring new concrete walls and deck, Riggs said.
The agency is tracking all of the damage and expenses incurred as a result of the crash.
