One northbound land of the U.S. 1 at the south county line and Old Dixie Highway was closed indefinitely Thursday after a roofing company truck traveling north on Old Dixie Highway hit the overpass causing damage to a support beam. Structural engineers will inspect the bridge today to determine the extent of the damage.

Old Dixie Highway between Highland Drive in Indian River County to Indrio Road in St. Lucie County is closed to through traffic, though residents and businesses will have access to their properties.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, the truck was driven by 53-year-old Fort Pierce resident Edward Vanhouten, who left the crash scene, drove the truck back to the company yard a half-mile away and parked it behind a covered fence.  The truck hit the bridge, according to the FHP report, because Vanhouten failed to lower the truck’s boom.  Vanhouten sustained minor injuries.

The 2.4 mile portion U.S. 1 from the south county line north to Oslo Road is being widened from four to six lanes.  The $23.2 million project, which began in the fall of 2012 and is scheduled to be completed by 2015, also includes construction of a new bridge over Old Dixie Highway.