Traffic prohibited by heavy equipment in a Minnesota drive-thru collision

A truck that crashed into a Minnesota crosswalk and killed a nearby driver on Tuesday was towing heavy equipment under a state permit that prohibits traveling under any structure less than 15 feet tall.

The Hillcrest Drive bridge the machines hit was 14 feet, 3 inches high, state officials said.

The equipment involved in the collision was a Caterpillar 420F backhoe with an excavator arm, according to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Utilities. The Municipality of Anchorage owns the equipment. Vulcan Towing was hauling it.

“The excavator arm hit the bridge and it was torn off on impact,” said DOT Administrative Operations Manager Justin Shelby. “It went through the back cab before hitting a nearby SUV.”

The Anchorage Police Department identified the driver as 43-year-old Jason Collins, who was killed when his backhoe struck the Jeep. A driver and passenger in the Vulcan were not injured, police said.

Collins, who went by Jay, lived near Wasilla and worked as a commercial pilot, said Alexander Clark, a longtime friend and flight instructor. On Tuesday, Collins was on his way to lunch with his “boyfriend” after completing a new flight physical, Clarke said, expressing his frustration at the news footage they showed Tuesday.

“This was clearly preventable,” Clark said in a message Friday. “I’m surprised other cars weren’t hit by debris.”

A Vulcan representative told reporters that the company “is not releasing any information at this time” and to send questions by email. The company later referred all questions to attorney Kevin Fitzgerald, who did not immediately return a call for comment.

Hans Rodvik, a spokesman for Mayor Dave Bronson, initially referred a request for information to the police department and did not respond to additional questions about the municipal towing contract. A police spokeswoman said the department would not release information about the incident until a report is completed, likely next week.

No criminal charges had been filed as of Friday afternoon, APD spokeswoman Sonny Gurin said.

The state’s commercial vehicle compliance division is reviewing any penalties with the state attorney general’s office, Shelby said.

The trailing arm damaged two steel girders below the overpass, which Shelby noted is lower than most state bridges in the city. The bridge inspection team is reviewing the previous damage and maintenance history of the roadway before making a final decision on repairs, he said.

The state has closed the sidewalk and shoulder in the affected area, but travel on the bridge itself is safe, Shelby said.

Vulcan has been operating under an annual “Extended Time Overweight and Overweight” permit that runs through December. Applies to loads up to 15 feet tall.

The final permit condition states, “Do not travel under any overhead structure posted less than 15′ high.

“The condition of the permit is that they cannot be transported under 15 feet,” Shelby said Friday. “That bridge is posted north and south at 14 feet, 3 inches. We have verified that it is the correct height.

The state licensee released the first details about the incident several days later with little public information. Initial reports said the Jeep only “hit part of the equipment.”

Clark took to social media this week to remember his friend. On his Facebook page, Collins said he had moved to Alaska with the U.S. Coast Guard and had recently retired from the Alaska Air National Guard. In the year In 2005, he began flying lessons with Clark in Homer. He lived in Homer and Anchor Point, worked for Ravn Air and was a cargo pilot at the time of his death.

“He helped me build the rooms of my house and our guest house. And did all the wiring. Not to mention it helped me change wrenches on my airplanes,” Clark wrote.

“We were talking about the summer plan a few days ago. Now the whole plan is over.