Guess He Really Didn't Want to Take the GWB

We've seen Port Authority workers measure the heights of trucks to make sure they will fit in either the Holland or Lincoln Tunnel. But yesterday one driver refused to stop and proceeded to drive his 13' 6" truck through the Lincoln Tunnel's 13' high center tube. And what does a truck look like after doing that? Well, check out the photograph from the NY Times, which describes its roof as being peeled back "as if it were a tin can." We'd like to add "A tin can whose sides are also falling down."

Truck driver Gilberto Cantu, whose driving four-year driving record has been "spotless," entered the Lincoln Tunnel early yesterday morning from the Weehawken, NJ side. Port Authority officials aren't sure why Cantu didn't stop when warned by "flashing signs and a loudspeaker," as he ripped off some of the inner tube's ceiling tiles (at least they are only decorative) during his 1.5 mile drive . No one was injured, and Cantu was issued a number of violations, "including reckless driving, failure to obey a traffic signal and failure to obey an officer’s command."

U.S.A. Logistics' safety director told the Times, "This is going to cost us, and it’s going to cost him," with the possibility of him losing his job. And the Port Authority says that rarely do drivers of too-tall vehicles enter the tunnel and when they do, they usually stop and are backed out.

And the Holland Tunnel's height is only 12'6".

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on June 1, 2007 7:43 AM

Comments [rss]

Still Not Amused

Dumbass ! He was just trying to get over .

Puzzled

And of course, it begs the usual question - a. could this guy read English? b. what - was he blasting music? c. I say he's a psycho. Any normal person would stop upon hearing (and feeling!) their truck being ripped apart.

dalton

I did something like this once. I borrowed a large box truck to move about 8 years ago. It was the first—and last—time I ever drove a big truck. I didn't know how tall the truck was, and I went under an overpass in NJ going about 40 miles per hour. When the box hit the bottom of the overpass, it was like hitting a brick wall. BOOOM! My fellow passenger was thrown into the dashboard. I threw on the brake, slowed down, and dragged the truck through the the other side. The top of the box was pretty much peeled off like a sardine can.

Obviously, this guy had a lot more experience driving a big truck than I do, and my underpass was just a couple of lanes wide. I just wanted to share how big of an idiot I am.

patrick spongebob and sandy ch

don't you dare take the name of texas in vain,

texas people are dumb.

deena

Texas? That figures.

liveoilfree

Would this be one of the NAFTA trucks from Southern Texas, without proper training for the driver?

Landor

Try again: barrier

Landor

Security measures should include pop-up spike strips.

Or better yet, a pop-up barrier.

S.D.

After this, I Hope Port Authority officials never need to stop someone really dangerous!

"flashing signs and a loudspeaker"... Unbelievable.

janelle

i've seen this happen (not quite as dramatically) on the BQE and (under) the golden gate bridge. drivers just need to be more aware. it's one (stupid) thing to not stop, or think you're going to make the cleararnce, but i don't get how he kept driving for so long...

you're a pathetic human being

i think he's from texas. this would explain a lot.

You're a bigger asshole than the truckdriver.

driving

whose driving four-year driving record has been "spotless,"

driving driving driving

BigJ

Josh, it's all union backed...they'll keep anyone from being fired!

Josh

The possibility of him losing his job? How on earth is there a chance that you keep your job after pulling something like that?

MT

He drove through THE WHOLE TUNNEL?!? What was he thinking?

Could you imagine being one of the cars in the tunnel at the time and seeing that coming at you? It must have looked like a movie stunt.

Dan Dickinson

I hear Fung Wah Bus is hiring.

cool

I hope they keep the truck for an art exhibit.

henry

SP u speak too much sense, that would never fly

SayNoToTrucks

"all tractor-trailor trucks should have to unload at rail depots located in NJ, the BX, QNS or BK"

F**k that!!! I don't want this A**hole in my borough either!

SP

there should be no large trucking in Manhattan except for delivery of oversized objects such as construction materials. all tractor-trailor trucks should have to unload at rail depots located in NJ, the BX, QNS or BK. Through traffic should be diverted around the island. Cargo ferries could also be used. Delivery of goods intended for Manhattan would be made from within the city, at night, in smaller trucks. Keep these A*HOLES OUT!

mimi

i think he's from texas. this would explain a lot.

eb

why are people so self centered?! i can't wait for humanity to self destruct and get wiped off the face of the earth.

Questions & Answers

Signs? There's lots of them.

Bells and whistles? Flashing lights? After 9/11, we all panic at the sight of a flashlight when we're in the tunnel.

Loudspeakers? I've heard them in that tunnel, and they're LOUD.

The driver's been employed as a truck driver for 4 yrs so he has to have some experience with tunnels. He claims not to have noticed or heard anything-- I say impossible. This man is either very stupid or very selfish.

After sitting in backed-up traffic an additonal 15 minutes yesterday and then seeing this destroyed truck sitting on the Manhattan side of the Lincol Tunnel, myself as well as all the other riders on our bus heaved a collective exasperated sigh, and nearly everyone said at the same time: "What an idiot".

ty

Actually, he didn't know where he was going. I think he was more stupid than selfish.

me

between this guy and the tb guy, it seems like it must be selfish asshole week. how many people were stuck in traffic because this jerk didn't want to go out of his way?