MANCHESTER, N.Y. — A dump truck driver has been cited for an equipment violation after the elevated bed of his vehicle hit a bridge over the state Thruway in western New York, triggering wrecks that injured 17 people.

State police say John Hoey didn’t realize the truck bed had lifted up as he drove along the highway at about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. The empty metal box hit the overpass near Manchester and landed in the highway. Two vehicles crashed into it, injuring five adults and 12 children, three seriously.

Hoey was issued a traffic ticket because his truck doesn’t have a required warning light that would have alerted him the bed was raised. State police Sgt. Robin Urbaniak says Thursday the citation carries a fine of up to $150.