A historic covered bridge that underwent a $1.5 million renovation in 2011 is badly damaged and deemed structurally unsound after a too-big tractor-trailer drove through it.
It happened on the Rapps Dam Covered Bridge in East Pikeland Township, Chester County.
Investigators say the driver panicked Tuesday morning and kept going after hitting the first wooden support beam, tearing out most of the beams before coming out the other side.
East Pikeland police Chief James Franciscus identified the driver as 37-year-old Antoine Branham of Erial, N.J.
Branham said he didn't see the height restriction warning sign. He faces numerous motor vehicle and vandalism charges.
Police said Branham hadn't driven a tractor trailer until five days ago, when he was hired by Centerton Nursery in Bridgeton, N.J. The company declined to comment.
