BALTIMORE (AP) — A road construction inspector narrowly escaped tragedy when the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed while he was supervising repairs. The collapse occurred after a massive container ship, the Dali, veered off course and crashed into one of the bridge's supporting columns in March.
Tragically, six members of the road crew working on filling potholes on the bridge deck lost their lives in the collapse, while another worker survived a fall from the bridge. The workers were caught off guard as they were on break and had no warning of the impending disaster.
The survivor, Julio Cervantes Suarez, managed to escape his sinking truck and cling to debris until rescued. The road construction inspector, Damon Davis, also narrowly escaped by running to safety as the bridge crumbled behind him.
Davis, still grappling with the trauma, plans to file a claim against the Dali's owner and manager from Singapore. The companies have sought to limit their liability, but face opposition claims alleging negligence in allowing the unseaworthy vessel to depart the Port of Baltimore.
The U.S. Department of Justice has accused the companies of recklessly cutting corners and ignoring electrical problems on the Dali, leading to the disaster. The ship, stuck amid the wreckage for months, recently departed for China on its first international voyage since the incident.
The Coast Guard is maintaining a safety zone around the vessel during its journey, which is expected to take 46 days. The government's lawsuit seeking punitive damages and cleanup costs strengthens the case for the road construction inspector and families of the deceased workers.
The tragedy halted maritime traffic through the Port of Baltimore for months, impacting the families of the six Latino immigrant workers who lost their lives. Their families are also preparing civil claims and advocating for improved workplace safety for immigrant workers in hazardous jobs.
