Semi on I-94 in Moorhead bangs 3 overpasses above before stopping

State transportation officials were inspecting the bridges for structural damage, authorities said. 

PAUL WALSH, STATE PATROL

This crane toppled from a semi in Moorhead after striking an overpass.

Boom, ba-da-boom, ba-da-boom.

A truck hauling a railroad crane strummed its way under three overpasses along Interstate 94 in Moorhead, Minn., late Sunday morning, clogging up summertime traffic below and damaging the bridge decks above, authorities said.

The 11/2-mile-long mishap occurred about 11:45 a.m. on westbound I-94, banged the overpasses for 34th Street, a railroad track and finally 20th Street, according to the State Patrol.

The crane, a piece of equipment made to glide along on the rail tracks, was dislodged from the truck and came to a mangled rest along the right shoulder of the interstate.

A car got caught up in some of the debris and needed the attention of a tow company, the patrol added. There were no injuries.

The “semi … exceeded height limitations,” the patrol said in an obvious but necessary statement.

State transportation officials were inspecting the bridges for structural damage, the statement continued.

The truck driver was identified as Wayne C. Thompson, 26, of Cherokee, Iowa. The driver of the disabled car was Rhonda R. Heinen, 50, of Castle Rock, Colo.