WILTON – The trestle bridge running above Cemetery Road was struck again by a truck last Friday, police say. The jolt moved the bridge off its pads by about 4 to 6 inches.

Police estimate damage to the bridge at $5,000 and about $1,000 to the cement truck that allegedly struck it.

The former railroad trestle bridge, which is part of the Jay-Wilton-Farmington Rail Trail 14.5-mile recreation route, has been hit several time over the years, Wilton police officer Ed Leahy said.

The bridge is posted at an 11-foot height clearance, he said.

Leahy summoned William “Bart” Christopher, 33, of New Vineyard last Friday after he allegedly struck the trestle with an empty cement truck and left the scene of the accident.

Christopher was driving a truck for Haley Construction of Farmington, which was about 12-foot, 6 inches at its highest point, Leahy said.

A witness said when Christopher went under the trestle he lifted the bridge up off its pads, Leahy said.

Leahy was in Farmington on official business when the complaint of a hit and run came in about 11 a.m. last Friday.

He started toward Wilton and met up with truck in downtown Farmington.

The tank on the truck had a large dent in it, Leahy said.

He reported the incident to the Maine departments of transportation and conservation.

Farmington Town Manager Richard Davis also informed members of the state departments during a presentation of a proposal to upgrade the rail trail during a Farmington selectmen’s meeting Tuesday.


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