Driver of semi that crashed the Dahly Bridge into the Upper Iowa River enters a guilty plea

The driver of the semi which led to the crash of the Dahly Bridge into the Upper Iowa River in April has entered a guilty plea to one of the charges filed against him in Winneshiek County.

29-year-old Justin Hippen of Parkersburg entered the guilty plea Tuesday to a charge of violating a weight embargo.  Hippen admitted that his semi was 54,700 pounds over the posted weight limit when he drove across the Dahly Bridge the morning of May 5th.

As a result, Hippen will pay a fine of $1,477.14 plus court costs.

No trial has been held yet on the second charge filed against Hippen--failure to obey a traffic control device.