Over-Height Load in Texas: Forklift Hits I-20 Overpass in Midland

What happened

An over-height load hit a Texas overpass on Tuesday morning, and the driver now faces charges. It happened in Midland, in the Permian Basin oil country, CDLLife reported.

Shortly before 10 a.m. on Oct. 6, a truck was hauling a forklift on a trailer. It was heading east on I-20. At the Loop 250 overpass, the forklift was taller than the space under the bridge. The load hit the overpass hard.

Here is what we know:

• Where: eastbound I-20 at Loop 250 in Midland, Texas.
• The load: a forklift on a trailer, pulled by a 2025 Kenworth T880.
• The damage: the bridge took a heavy structural hit, according to the report.
• The charges: the driver was charged with an over-height violation and several DOT violations.
• Injuries: none were reported in the article.

TxDOT (the Texas Department of Transportation) put out a reminder after the crash. It told truck drivers to know the height of their load before they roll. TxDOT said over-height loads can damage bridges, put people in danger and cause big traffic problems.

What it means for owner-operators

Bridge strikes keep happening on Texas roads. The lesson is the same each time. The driver is the last check before the bridge.

In Texas, the legal height limit for all vehicles is 14 feet, according to TxDMV (the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles). If your truck and load are taller than that, you need an oversize/overweight permit before you move. That permit comes from TxDMV.

A tall load is easy to miss. A forklift, a piece of oil field equipment or a stacked load can add more height than you think. Once it is on the trailer, the number that matters is the total height from the road to the very top.

An over-height ticket is only the start. A bridge strike can mean DOT violations on your record, a closed highway and a repair bill for the bridge. For a small carrier, that can hurt for a long time.

What to do next

• Measure after loading. Use a tape or a height stick from the ground to the highest point of the load. Write it down.
• Compare to 14 feet. If you are over the Texas limit, stop. Get an oversize/overweight permit from TxDMV before you move. The TxDMV permits office number is (800) 299-1700.
• Use a truck GPS. Car apps do not know bridge heights. Enter your real height in a truck-safe GPS.
• Read every clearance sign. If the sign is close to your height, do not risk it. Find another route.
• Lower what you can. On equipment like a forklift, lower the mast or any arm before you strap it down, if it is safe to do so.
• Keep your file clean. DOT violations follow your authority. Our trucking filing guide shows what your authority needs to stay active.

A few minutes with a tape measure can save your truck, your record and someone's life. We will keep watching Texas roads and share what changes.