Historic covered bridge hit for the 14th time since August

LONG GROVE, Ill. (AP) - A historic covered bridge outside Chicago has been struck by a vehicle for at least the 14th time since August, authorities said.

A 73-year-old Nashville, Tennessee, man watching his GPS did not see signs declaring the 8-foot, 6-inch clearance of the bridge in north suburban Long Grove and struck it with a U- Haul box truck Friday afternoon, Lt. Chris Covelli of the Lake County Sheriff's Office said.

'œHe said he was following his GPS and didn't see the signs restricting vehicle height as he approached the bridge,'ť Covelli said.

The top of the truck struck the bottom of the bridge's roof, causing significant damage to the vehicle and leaving it temporarily stuck there, Covelli said.

The driver, who was not injured, was cited for disobeying a traffic control device, a state citation, and for a truck exceeding a maximum height of 8-foot-6 on a covered bridge, a Long Grove ordinance.

Village officials were on the scene inspecting the damage.

The wood and metal bridge that dates back to 1906 reopened on Aug. 14 after being closed since June 2018 after another box truck struck it. Within 24 hours, a chartered school bus carrying a group of golfers struck the bridge.