Commonwealth, Department of Highways v. Pine Coal Co.

OSBORNE, Judge.

This case involves the destruction of a bridge by a coal truck belonging to the Pine Coal Company. The bridge, located on Kentucky Highway 7 in Letcher County, Kentucky, was destroyed on January 21, 1963, when a loaded coal truck belonging to the Company attempted to cross it. The bridge was rated at fifteen tons by the Kentucky State Highway Department. The coal truck was loaded at a gross of 63,000 pounds. Even though liability was not seriously disputed in this case, the trial court refused to direct a verdict; and the jury found for the plaintiff and awarded damages in the…