Passenger Seriously Injured in Graffiti Bridge Crash as Pensacola Adds Warning Signs

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Pensacola officials are adding warning signs near the city's notorious Graffiti Bridge after another truck struck the low-clearance railroad trestle, seriously injuring a passenger.

The collision occurred during the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Isaias, which has brought additional trucks and contractors into Northwest Florida.

During an interview Thursday morning on NewsRadio 92.3, Pensacola Police spokesman Mike Wood said the truck was too large to pass beneath the bridge.

"It was a rather large truck and there was no way it was going to fit under there," Wood said.

The crash was particularly serious because a passenger was ejected through the windshield.

Wood said the passenger suffered serious injuries but was expected to survive.

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves addressed the collision during Wednesday's city news conference, saying additional height-clearance signs were being installed on approaches to the bridge.

Reeves noted that many drivers entering the area for hurricane recovery may not be familiar with the railroad trestle's unusually low clearance.

The bridge, located along 17th Avenue, has a long history of collisions involving vehicles too tall to pass underneath. The roadway reopened in the hours following the collision.

City officials hope the additional signs will help prevent another crash as hurricane recovery traffic continues.