The historic bridge in Long Grove remains closed and a driver has been cited after a box truck hit the bridge on Monday. Police say it marks the 41st time the bridge has been hit.
A 15-foot white Chevrolet box truck hit the bridge at Robert Parker Coffin Road and Schaeffer Road in Long Grove around 1 p.m. Monday.
The truck was traveling eastbound on Robert Parker Coffin Road from Route 53 when it struck the bridge’s canopy, according to Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli.
The bridge suffered visible damage. The truck’s windshield was shattered, the cab was pushed downwards and the middle section of the truck was also damaged.
The truck reversed and parked on Schaeffer Road following the incident.
Covelli said it is possible the driver of the truck, Aiden C. Matiasek, 18, of Lake Villa, did not stop at the stop sign before the bridge.
Matiasek violated the bridge height restriction that is posted, Covelli said.
A sheriff’s deputy issued him a citation for disobeying a traffic control sign for ignoring the height restriction.
There appeared to be minor damage to the bridge. A structural engineer was requested to ensure the bridge is still structurally sound.
Covelli said the bridge remains closed as of Tuesday morning.
The Chatter Box of Long Grove, which is located down the street from the bridge, told Lake and McHenry County Scanner that the driver was uninjured.
Witnesses reported the driver said he thought his truck could clear the bridge.
Multiple signs are present near the bridge warning that no trucks, buses, or vehicles over five tons are allowed on the bridge and showing the height clearance.
The bridge was formerly named the Long Grove Covered Bridge. It was renamed on Thursday to the Robert Parker Coffin Bridge, named after Robert Parker Coffin, who designed the bridge cover.
This is the 41st time the bridge has been struck since being reopened after being closed for two years, Covelli said.
In July, a U-Haul truck hit the bridge and became stuck under its canopy.
It took tow truck crews at least an hour and a half to free the vehicle.
There did not appear to be serious damage to the bridge.
The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In August 2020, the bridge was damaged by a school bus less than 24 hours after it had reopened following two years of repairs from a prior box truck crash.
That prior box truck crash caused substantial damage and nearly destroyed the bridge.