COLCHESTER — A Newport man was charged with multiple violations after his overloaded truck struck work zone equipment on State Highway 206 near Wilson Hollow Road on Wednesday afternoon.
Christopher M. Jackson, 49, was hauling approximately 20,000 pounds of steel on a trailer rated for a maximum of 16,000 pounds when he lost braking ability and hit an automated flagger device, according to the Colchester Police Department.
The incident occurred in an active New York State Department of Transportation work zone, and Jackson’s truck narrowly missed a DOT vehicle after striking the equipment.
Officers located Jackson’s truck and trailer in the Downsville Central School parking lot shortly after the 3 p.m. incident.
Police determined Jackson was using a 40-foot gooseneck trailer equipped with only one axle and inadequate brakes.
The New York State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit assisted in confirming the vehicle was significantly over the legal weight limit and had multiple equipment safety violations.
Jackson was charged with reckless driving, inadequate brakes and 11 counts of reckless endangerment in the second degree.
He also faces violations including leaving the scene of a property damage accident, speed not reasonable and prudent, failure to obey a traffic control device and multiple equipment violations.
Jackson was released on traffic tickets and appearance tickets and is scheduled to appear in Colchester Town Court.
The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be filed.
