--- title: "Propane Truck Ignores Wooden Bridge’s Weight Limit and Falls Into a Creek" date: "2025-04-30" modified: "2025-04-30" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/overweight-propane-truck-plunges-through-wooden-bridge-into-creek-below" categories: - "News" --- # Propane Truck Ignores Wooden Bridge’s Weight Limit and Falls Into a Creek ![]() A propane truck fell through a wooden bridge in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, in [a completely avoidable incident]() that could have cost the driver their life. The Sharp Energy trucker was reportedly transporting a full load on Tuesday afternoon, April 29, when they decided to turn onto the wooden bridge that connects Orchid Place with the Wildlands Conservancy. They barely made it a full truck's length before the structure collapsed, dropping the tanker into Little Lehigh Creek. Sharp Energy told *[CBS News Philadelphia]()*, "We are aware of the situation and are working closely with local officials to investigate the incident." How could this have been avoided? For starters, there's a sign before the bridge that clearly states its five-ton weight limit. CDL-carrying truck drivers are supposed to know the weight of their trucks for situations like this. Even if the driver didn't know the exact weight of the truck, they should have at least paused to check. The [average weight]() of a fully loaded propane tanker is between 10-15 tons, so at least double the bridge's limit. ![]() ![]() ![]() It also seems like a mistake other truck drivers don't make. According to nearby residents, there's another road that truck drivers use to avoid the bridge, which can clearly be seen from [Google Maps]()—even if it's a bit out of the way. "Most of the time when heavy equipment comes in here, they come up this road because of the bridge. Perhaps it didn't know that that was a weight limit," said Emmaus local Brad Landis to *CBS News Philadelphia.* Thankfully, the driver wasn't hurt in the collapse, nor did any propane leak. A crane crew spent hours removing the tanker, and the recovery process temporarily knocked out power for neighbors. It also damaged one of the conservancy's main access points, which will be a big inconvenience until it's fixed. The town has the bridge in full repair mode, though, and will hopefully get it back in order soon. I don't drive big trucks, nor do I envy anyone who does. It seems like a difficult job to navigate those massive, heavy vehicles, so I don't like to criticize. But c'mon, man. There was a sign right there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQZuS9ysyhU *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()