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1 Dead After Rig Goes Off Bay Bridge Span
Accident Causes Long Backup For Drivers
POSTED: 7:30 am EDT August 10, 2008
UPDATED: 5:27 pm EDT August 10, 2008
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- A tractor-trailer plunged off the Bay Bridge and into the Chesapeake Bay Sunday, on killing the driver and causing massive traffic delays.
The tractor-trailer fell about 30 to 40 feet into shallow water at about 4 a.m. Two other people were seriously injured in the three-vehicle accident, said Maryland Transportation Authority spokesman Jonathan Green, who did not immediately release the identities of those involved.
The accident on the eastbound span closed that bridge and traffic was diverted to the westbound span, which had been closed for maintenance.
The transportation authority advised motorists to avoid the bridge, noting traffic was backed up at least 10 miles on each side of the bridge at 2 p.m.
The 18-wheeler, which was upright with its top visible in about 10 feet of water, had been traveling westbound when the accident occurred. It collided head-on with another vehicle, police said.
Mountaire Farms, a poultry processing company based in Selbyville, Del., owns the truck, said company spokesman Roger Marino, who said he did not know the driver's name or what the truck was hauling.
"It is a tragic loss for the Mountaire family, because it is a close-knit company. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family," Marino said. "We will be assisting the authorities as we wait for more information."
Green said he did not know what caused the crash.
Kellie Boulware of the State Highway Administration advised drivers heading to the Eastern Shore to take other routes.
"It's a slow-moving process, people are getting through, but it's going to be a while," Boulware said.
Crews also worked to contain a spill from the truck's diesel fuel tank. A crane was at the scene to lift the tractor-trailer from the water.
The scenic four-mile bridges, which peak at about 186 feet, are a major artery to the Delaware and Maryland beaches. The eastbound span opened in 1952 and the parallel structure opened about 20 years later.
Vikram Virk of Ocean City, who was driving a U-Haul truck for a friend's move, was stuck in traffic at about noon near exit 24 for Rowe Boulevard. He told The Baltimore Sun he didn't know about the crash when he headed east to the bridge.
I drive a very large truck through that spot EVERY Thursday morning at 3:00 am in two-way traffic. The north span is usually closed. The people who drive these trucks are professionals - don't be so quick to point fingers. My thoughts and prayers to his or her family. Our local TV channel blew this one, I heard about it through CNN. Local (in Salisbury) had nothing until 10:30am.
__________________ Kencraft Buxton 25 PH
Jones Brothers Cape Fisherman CC
Pro line 251 WA
Too many big-rig drivers drive like maniacs on a mission.
This one evidently paid with his life.
Usually its the other way around, even if the big-rig driver was at fault...
Hope you weren't stuck in the traffic!
While there might be SOME truth to your statement in that SOME of the truckers will use the "might has right" mentality (often so very prominent with the size of boat someone owns) I've spent plenty of time on the major highways including the very span where this unfortunate accident took place. From what I've seen, most of the knuckleheads in their little cars fail to realize that a big rig will not stop as well as the smaller vehicle, and they will cut in front of these rigs weave in and out with no regard for the safety of the trucker, fellow motorists or even themselves. Heck I get cut off all the time by doing the right thing by maintaining a safe following distance to the car in front of me, only to be filled by another car that cuts in and slams on their brakes. People don't know how to drive anymore....
Too many big-rig drivers drive like maniacs on a mission.
I'm a foreigner working up here in the area of the Bay Bridge (cross it 2-3 times a week) and the "drive like maniacs on a mission" I relate to those most pleasant Garden State and New York drivers - but what do I know. Everyone up here drives like turtles in quicksand. Lane discipline? What's that. It's my left lane and I can drive 45 in it if I want to. Yes you may....I'll wait.....
I'm a foreigner working up here in the area of the Bay Bridge (cross it 2-3 times a week) and the "drive like maniacs on a mission" I relate to those most pleasant Garden State and New York drivers - but what do I know. Everyone up here drives like turtles in quicksand. Lane discipline? What's that. It's my left lane and I can drive 45 in it if I want to. Yes you may....I'll wait.....
Sounds like a trip down 95 on a holiday weekend. Always some guy from NJ in a BMW doing 20mph faster than everyone else, in the right lane, cutting off the big rigs and crossing two lanes of traffic in one swoop without thier blinker on. I guess if I was from NJ, I'd be in a hurry to get the hell out of there too, though.
__________________ -Jason D.-
Pearland, TX....Freeport, Galveston
'07 Trophy 2302 WA w/Verado 250, pro package, Green hull "Sugar Mama"
Seacrets - 8/10/2008 9:06 PMBoy, talk about jumping to conclusions.
Sweet pun!
Quote:
I'm a foreigner working up here in the area of the Bay Bridge (cross it 2-3 times a week) and the "drive like maniacs on a mission" I relate to those most pleasant Garden State and New York drivers - but what do I know. Everyone up here drives like turtles in quicksand. Lane discipline? What's that. It's my left lane and I can drive 45 in it if I want to. Yes you may....I'll wait.....
Sounds like a trip down 95 on a holiday weekend. Always some guy from NJ in a BMW doing 20mph faster than everyone else, in the right lane, cutting off the big rigs and crossing two lanes of traffic in one swoop without thier blinker on. I guess if I was from NJ, I'd be in a hurry to get the hell out of there too, though.
Or the guy who thinks that it is his God given right to get in the left lane immediately, tailgate you (even though you are going 75 mph) and stay there until 100 ft before his exit at which time he cuts across the width of the highway to exit.
Amen.
I feel for truckers. Most people are so self absorbed behind the wheel of a car that its hard enough not getting in an accident the few hours of the week I'm on the road. Doing it for a living....I'm not sure I could handle the stress.
__________________ -Jason D.-
Pearland, TX....Freeport, Galveston
'07 Trophy 2302 WA w/Verado 250, pro package, Green hull "Sugar Mama"
" Our local TV channel blew this one, I heard about it through CNN. Local (in Salisbury) had nothing until 10:30am.
Bethany Beach had a sign in the median as early at 10am. I checked XM and they said trafic was 2 lane going west but never stated it was backed up. My wife decided to go the bridge. I left later. By then I had rerouted her up 301 to Delaware and I took Rt. 1 north. I also called XM and told them they were drastically understating the problem at the bridge. Don't imagine I was the only one but they replaced the message with a warning to avoid the bridge.
Took 4.5 hours for a normal 3 hour trip but better than some who spent 4 hours going 2 miles.
I also think the truck driver had to avoid a car accident.
Blame the truck driver even if at fault we will never hear the drivers side. I have worked too many crashes where 2 vehicles did the wrong thing at the wrong time and caused the accident. To address the statement about truck drives. Over the past 5 years crashes that have a semi truck involved have dropped in my area. The cowboy drivers are almost a thing of the past. But the stinch will remain for a long time, I must add I work a lot more where the driver of a car or pickup cause the crash. Had one where an air force pilot to be did not stop or even slow down and struck a pickup in the rear and caused a 4 car crash. This was during a single car crash with fire trucks and LEO vehicles with all kinds of lights flashing and traffic almost stopped. He stated he did not see the vehicles stopping or realize the emergency vehicles were working a crash. Lets not point fingers at just truck drivers. remember 1 finger points away and 3 point at you and the thumb holds the others so they can feel good about pointing the finger
Lane discipline? What's that. It's my left lane and I can drive 45 in it if I want to. Yes you may....I'll wait.....
Quote:
Always some guy from NJ in a BMW doing 20mph faster than everyone else, in the right lane, cutting off the big rigs and crossing two lanes of traffic in one swoop without their blinker on. I guess if I was from NJ, I'd be in a hurry to get the hell out of there too, though.
Here in Jersey and in PA the law is: "KEEP RIGHT, PASS LEFT" if this simple law was followed, there would be a lot less accidents. The guy in the BMW passing on the left is wrong, but that is usually caused by someone else's ignorance. Proof is that if you can pass in the left lane, then someone is hanging out in the left lane. I'm not saying aggressive driving isn't a big factor, but clueless driving plays a big part and it is difficult to quantify.
I don't drive a big rig, but I do occasionally pull a 35' fifth wheel RV. I've been cut off by hundreds of "four wheelers" and an occasional suicide jockey on a motorcycle, but I've never had a problem with the pro drivers. In fact, they all seem to recognize that I'm pulling a long and heavy load, and sympathize with me, backing off and flashing lights to let me know that it's safe to come into their lane. They also make sure I see them before they pass me, and I return the favor of letting them back into my lane. I've also fueled up and eaten at many a truck stop, and have yet to run into any rude or crude "cowboys" there. In my 'real job' I deal with many truckers every day; I have yet to find one that I truly disliked.
Those guys (and gals) are literally what keeps this country running. Give them the respect they deserve, and I guarantee you they will return the respect.
Let's not jump to conclusions about this accident. Get the facts before throwing stones.
Local Eastern Shore man from Willards, MD. 57 year old professional driver died. An eye witness said that a "Chevy Camaro" hit the tractor cab and the truck headed for another car, to avoid that car the trucker drove into the side of the bridge and it gave way. Plunging 30 to 40 feet to his death. It appears that the truck driver died trying to avoid killing an innocent person.
I'm done with this thread, makes me sad.
Dave
__________________ Kencraft Buxton 25 PH
Jones Brothers Cape Fisherman CC
Pro line 251 WA
My sentiments go out to this driver as he was a good one. Years ago truck driving was a profession and drivers were skilled and trained. Today its about the buck and there is all kinds of druggies driving and unlicensed Mexicans behind the wheel of these semis. Many times the 18 wheelers come off the 70 mph zones into a 55 mph zone rapidly and slam into the backs of 4 wheelers. happens a lot in South Florida.Just saying they are not the professionals they once were .
Goldberg said the driver of the truck that fell into the bay was going about 55 mph in a 45 mph zone. He said the truck swerved to avoid a car that had crossed into the other lane, then crashed into the barrier, landed on top of it and finally sailed over it and into the bay.
In addition to the tractor-trailer, the crash involved a Chevrolet Camaro and a Toyota Prius, police said.....About a quarter-mile from the Kent Island side of the bridge, the westbound tractor-trailer crashed into the jersey wall, taking out a 10- to 15-foot section, before plummeting 30 to 40 feet to the water, said Cpl. Jonathan Green, a spokesman for the Transportation Authority Police.
Although police were releasing few details about the crash, the Prius' driver, Seung Won Hong, gave his account to The Sun.
Reached by phone at his Springfield, Va., home, Hong, 41, said he was driving east behind the Camaro when it collided with the westbound truck. Hong said the rig spun out of control, and the trailer struck the rear of his Prius. He heard a huge bang, then saw the trailer topple over the jersey wall.
~~~~~~~~
So, perhaps the truck was technically speeding. But if you know this bridge and the way traffic usually flows on it, 55 mph would usually be considered "impeding traffic". And this account seems to support the fact that the Camaro hit the truck (based on the witness's account), throwing it out of control. Sounds to me like this never would have happened if the Camaro hadn't hit the truck.
The tractor-trailer driver, John Robert Short, 57...
Semi goes off the bay bridge.. 
