A Bridge Bit Me. Or Oh Crap!

So, Friday, I was on my way to a fuel stop going over a narrow bridge, one lane in each direction, with traffic coming at me. All of a sudden I hear a small crash on my right. I nicked the bridge with my mirror. As you can see my right side mirror is damaged. Pulled over, spoke to dispatch, safety, and road service. Road service sent me to a dealer. I got there and they couldn't look at it until Monday. Called dispatch, as I was in Missouri headed to El Passo, to update them. They suggested I cantact road service to see if they would be ok with me going to Joplin to get it fixed. They said sure, as long as I was aware it was my butt in the seat. That mirror could put me out of service by DOT. Made it to Joplin safely. My truck is still in the shop. They found some bad oil and air leaks as well as some other issues. All is being fixed. By being here, they could more easily repower my load. Also, instead of being standed in the middle of nowhere, I'm at HQ, with a shuttle to shopping and food. Spent last night in a hotel. We'll see what today brings.

Ouch that sux, but at least it was the bridge or whatever that got hit instead of an opposing vehicle.

It's a shame that we encounter these narrow areas is all too often. There isn't a whole lot that we can do besides slow down.

I pick up quite often at a Sapa plant in Cressona, PA. Old School knows the place real well also. The road leading into the plant is extremely narrow with power poles right up next to the road, and always loaded with traffic. I've yet to hit anything, but it's always real close.

Glad to hear you made it to Joplin.

Tight areas always are a pain. I deal with them multiple times a day. Looking at your photo's I would say you made the right call. Looks like the mirror was still somewhat usuable, if I'm underdstanding the photo right. It's on my phone and I can't blow it up bigger. First your very right if they need to repower the load it is easier, your wait time hopefully is less at your own shop, and it is always cheaper at your own shop than a dealer. I personally dislike going to dealers, they are always backed up and take forever it seems. Your shop has a vested interest getting that truck rolling again the dealer doesn't. Sometimes we just have to make an informed decision and take calculated risks to get the job done. So you saved the company money in 3 ways that I can see. The repower if needed, the repairs, and less down time. You mentioned bad oil and air leaks.... Did you not know about them??? I don't want to come off as mean here, but if your doing good pre/post trip insp's you should probably have caught them before they got bad. We certainly don't catch everything for sure. I look under my truck everytime I walk up to it. I also listen closely while walking around it. I have had strange things go wrong during the drive time and learned some things the more difficult way. I don't intend to imply you don't do these things, it was just your description that brings it to mind. Always always always do a good pre/post trip insp. It's everyone's safety at risk. Anyway off my soap box.

Good job all in all sir

While the cracks did't show well in the photo, looking in it was like looking into a disco ball.

Some of the things found and being fixed while I'm here. Truck was due for lube job, oil leak, air leak, bad tire, DPF filter due for change, the front clearance lights needed to be changed to stop water leak, and it needs an alignment. I'll get breakdown pay in addition to the three hotel nights they paid for. I should have my truck back tomorrow morning. Some people hate coming into Joplin and getting stuck here with their truck in the shop. I look at it this way. A few days down, and I have a truck that will keep me rolling for thousands of miles. All I see is $$$$.