Semi damages Princeton’s Red Covered Bridge as driver attempts to cross it

PRINCETON — A semi tractor-trailer attempted to cross the Red Covered Bridge north of Princeton Wednesday afternoon and caused significant damage to the iconic historical structure.

Rahim Omar, 50, of Sacramento, Calif., was cited on a complaint for an overweight semi on an elevated structure.

According to police, the semi attempted to cross the bridge — posted with a 5 ton weight limit — coming from the west into town and tore up the roof of the structure. The homeowner who lives across from the bridge witnessed the crash and the semi tractor-trailer still on the move. The homeowner said she stood in the road to prevent the driver from leaving and called 911.

The semi driver told authorities he was using a GPS to make his way back to Interstate 80. Omar was ticketed and fined more than $7,000 for having an empty semi that weighed 23,650 pounds over the weight limit for the bridge, according to Commercial Vehicle Enforcement.

Bureau County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene shortly after 1 p.m. to investigate. Illinois Department of Transportation also was called to inspect damage to the bridge. The semi also tore up trees and shrubbery near the bridge when it attempted to turn around and leave the scene.

The Red Covered Bridge is located 1 1/2 miles north of Princeton on Route 26. The bridge was built in 1863 and is open to traffic, but restricts semi tractor-trailers. The bridge crosses Big Bureau Creek and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Illinois Department of Transportation repaired the bridge last spring with new decking and surface repairs.

— Starved Rock Media reporter Jeremy Aitken contributed to this report.