Published: July 18, 2008 11:34 pm         

Heavy fine: Semitrailer cited for overweight tandem axle

TERRE HAUTE — A semitrailer hauling rock from Terre Haute to Brazil recently caught the eye of an Indiana State Police Motor Carrier, and the result was a citation for what some officials called the most overweight tandem axle in recent history.

According to a media release issued by the ISP, a semi owned by Russell Fisher Sr., Terre Haute, was being driven by operator Jerry J. Hastings west on Interstate 70 on July 10 when ISP Motor Carrier Inspector Cindy Gray noted the rear tires being low on the vehicle.

Upon weighing the truck, which was loaded with rock, Gray found the gross weight to be 112,000 pounds, about 32,200 pounds over the legal gross weight of 80,000, the report stated.

In weighing the rear tandems, they were found to be 72,000 pounds by themselves, about 38,000 pounds over their legal limit.

According to the release, the citation was for the largest overweight tandem axle on file.