Oversize Load Hits Overpass: $65 Million Verdict in Colorado

What happened

An oversize load that hit an overpass has ended in a $65 million jury verdict in Colorado. A jury in Larimer County, Colorado, reached the verdict on Sept. 22, 2026.

The crash happened on Aug. 8, 2022, on northbound I-25 near Mead, Colorado. A truck was hauling a large excavator. The arm of the excavator hit the Weld County Road 34 overpass. Pieces of concrete fell onto the highway. A mother driving with her 14-year-old son was killed, and her son was hurt.

The truck driver pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide (reckless driving) in November 2023. The family's lawsuit said the defendants did not make sure the load was secured safely. It also said the driver was not properly trained and the load was not inspected before the trip.

CDLLife reported that this is the biggest jury verdict ever in Larimer County. It is also the biggest trucking crash jury verdict in Colorado.

What it means for owner-operators

A bridge strike is one of the few crashes that is almost 100% preventable. Overpasses don't move. What changes is the height of your load, and one part sticking up by a few inches is enough.

Equipment is the classic trap. An excavator arm, a boom, a bucket or a stack of pipe can shift or be loaded higher than planned. If nobody measures it after tie-down, nobody knows the real height until it is too late.

The money side is just as serious. A verdict this size is far above the liability limits most small carriers carry. When a jury award goes past your policy, the rest can come after the business itself. Juries also look hard at training, inspections and paperwork. "We didn't check" is a very expensive answer in court.

What to do next

• Measure the loaded height yourself, from the ground to the highest point, after the load is chained down. Write it down.
• Lower booms, arms and buckets all the way and secure them so they can't rise on the road.
• If you are over legal height, get the right oversize permit and follow the route it gives you. Don't take shortcuts.
• Check clearances on your whole route, including detours, with a truck GPS set to your real height.
• Take photos of the load, the securement and your tape measure before you leave. Keep them with your trip papers.
• Review your liability limits and cargo coverage before you haul heavy equipment. Our guide to trucking insurance coverage explains what each part protects.

Haul equipment or oversize loads? Let's make sure your coverage fits the work. Call TCZ Insurance Agency at 956-526-6727.