FL truck driver ticketed for damaging overpass bridge on Thruway in Rockland County

New York State Police say 39-year-old Ivan Varava, of Hollywood, Florida, was hauling a large steel tower on the tractor-trailer when the incident occurred.

Diane Caruso

Sep 1, 2023, 12:06 PM

Updated 329 days ago

Share:

A truck driver from Florida was issued tickets for hitting and damaging an overpass bridge on the New York State Thruway in Rockland County on Thursday morning. 
New York State Police say 39-year-old Ivan Varava, of Hollywood, Florida, was hauling a large steel tower on the tractor-trailer when the incident occurred.
Officials say he works for San Trans Inc., which is out of Bartlett, Illinois.
According to authorities, the clearance of the South Broadway overpass bridge is 14 feet, 1 inch tall, but his truck was 17 feet, 6 inches tall.
They add that Varava allegedly did not have a permit to drive the oversized load on the Thruway.  He was issued multiple traffic tickets as a result. 
State police tell News 12 that new fines and penalties for over-height vehicles are $1,000 and/or 30 days in jail for a first-time offense, or $2,000 and/or 60 days in jail for a second or subsequent offense.
It is unknown if this was his first offense.
All lanes were open on the Thruway Friday.
Thruway officials say the South Broadway overpass road will open on Friday for one-lane traffic to drivers who will alternate in both directions until permanent repairs are complete.


More from News 12