For Immediate Release: Friday, June 29, 2001

For More Information: Bob Mercer or Mike Mueller, 773-3212

Trucker Faces Hefty Penalty For Heavy Load

(Pierre) – A Sioux Falls rock hauler faces a $19,097 penalty after the truck was found to be grossly overweight.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol made the stop Thursday on Minnehaha County Road 140 west of the Tea-Ellis road junction. The truck, registered to Jerke Construction Co. and driven by Randy Grim of Sioux Falls, was hauling large rocks.

It was found to weigh 99,600 pounds. That was 25,100 pounds over the legal weight of 74,500 pounds for that rig.

The incident was the third time in eight days that the Highway Patrol stopped a construction rig that was grossly overweight. 

On Wednesday, a vehicle hauling heavy equipment on S.D. 10 in the Roberts County area was found to be 12,550 pounds over the maximum legal weight for its trailer set-up. The vehicle, registered to C&W Enterprises of Sioux Falls, was driven by Gary Fisher of Gordon, Neb., who faces a total penalty of fine and costs of $4,842.25.

Last week, a gravel hauler was stopped southeast of Gettysburg on June 20. It was weighed at 103,950 pounds. That was 12,486 pounds over the legal limit of 91,464 pounds for that rig. The vehicle, registered to E&C Hamberger Farms of Gettysburg, was driven by Loren Holzwarth of Gettysburg, who faces a total penalty of fine and costs of $9,500.50.