Any person driving or moving any vehicle, object or contrivance upon any highway or highway structure shall be liable for all damages which such highway or structure may sustain as a result of any illegal operation, driving or moving of such vehicles, objects or contrivances or whether such damage is a result of operating, driving or moving any vehicle, object or contrivance weighing in excess of the maximum weights as provided in this article but authorized by special permit issued pursuant to § 56-5-4170. Whenever such driver is not the owner of such vehicle, object or contrivance, but is so operating, driving or moving it with the express or implied permission of such owner, the owner and driver shall be jointly and severally liable for any such damage. Such damage may be recovered in any civil action brought by the authorities in control of such highway or highway structure.