DUMMERSTON — Read Miller's 23-year-old son William is not going to forget March 31, 2013, the day he hit the east side trim boards with the truck he was driving through the West Dummerston Covered Bridge.
A lack of both experience and sleep contributed to a mishap that “embarrassed the hell out of him,” the father said.
The covered bridge did not sustain any structural damage and is safe for vehicular travel. The West Dummerston Covered Bridge is the longest covered bridge that is still in use in the state of Vermont.
According to Vermont State Police Sgt. Mike Sorenson, a call came in around 5:30 or 6 p.m. Sunday evening “from a witness.” Apparently, the driver of the 24-foot box truck that hit the bridge stopped briefly, but then left, and witnesses reported the incident.
The top of the box truck's cargo body had scraped the cross beams as it traversed the covered bridge. At the east end of the covered bridge, the truck shattered a 4 X 6 cross beam and tore the trim from around the covered bridge's entrance/exit.
Dummerston Road Foreman Lee Chamberlin said he had not seen the bridge yet, but understood that someone had stopped into the town garage and taken responsibility.
“I wasn't there so I didn't speak to them.” He added, “Once we know for sure who caused the damage, we're going to try to work with them to get it fixed up.”
Town Clerk Pam McFadden said that a “driver from Dwight Miller Orchard had come forward and accepted responsibility.”
According to state police. William Miller told investigators that he was operating the truck as part of his employment in collecting maple sap for his family's farm and didn't realize the height restriction on the bridge as he attempted to cross it.
Read Miller said his son William learned the hard way that a “big truck goes around” an object, “and a light truck goes through. I don't think he's had much experience with a heavier truck.”
His family has been dealing with some serious health concerns of a beloved family member and “we've been going straight-out 24 hours a day,” without much in the way of sleep.
Miller's wife, Malah, said, “It hasn't been fun around here.”
“Between his inexperience and sleep deprivation,” Miller explained, William made a mistake in judgment he is not likely to forget.
But, by comparison, “the covered bridge incident seemed pretty small” beside the news he received just before speaking with The Commons on Monday.
“I'm feeling pretty good now,” Miller said. “The news was good,” regarding the family member.
Once the damage report is sent in to the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, which carries the town's insurance, a next step will be determined. Town officials say they will see about working something out with the Miller family to fix the bridge.
William Miller was cited by state police for leaving the scene of an accident. He will answer to the charge on May 7 in Windham District Court.