VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Officials have recovered the body of a man who tragically crashed a Keep It Moving 22, LLC, tractor-trailer over the side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel on Thursday. The individual has been identified as Christopher Scott, aged 36, from Henrico, Virginia.
Scott’s body was discovered inside the submerged truck by a Portsmouth-based diving company, and both were successfully recovered from the Chesapeake Bay on Friday at approximately 3 p.m., according to the official statement released by the CBBT.
The incident occurred on Thursday, just before 2 p.m., at the one-mile point on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel’s northbound span, situated between Virginia Beach and the southernmost island.
Multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Virginia Beach police and fire departments, and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, swiftly collaborated with the CBBT Police in search and recovery efforts that spanned throughout the night and into the morning.
Reports from witnesses indicate that a tire on the tractor-trailer may have burst prior to the crash. An autopsy will be conducted to determine if any medical conditions, alcohol, or drugs were contributing factors. While there is currently no evidence suggesting such factors, investigators will follow a comprehensive procedure that may extend over several weeks or even a couple of months.
The Surviving Family Will Need the Tire Inspected by Trained Attorneys
It is heartbreaking to learn of another life lost due to what appears to be a preventable tire blowout.
Unfortunately, tire failure accidents are more prevalent than commonly acknowledged, and it is important to recognize that they can occur due to factors beyond the driver’s control.
Our firm is currently handling many accidents similar to this one that were caused by a sudden steer-axle tire failure.
This case reminds me of a case we are currently handling where a California truck driver operating a 2013 Kenworth Construct T600 experienced a front left steer axle tire failure while approaching a ravine in Arizona. The sudden failure pulled the truck to the left, causing the truck to crash into the ravine. Tragically, the truck caught fire, causing the death of a beloved husband and father.
In another case, a family was traveling on an Arizona highway when a truck’s front steer axle tire failed. The truck driver went through the dirt median into oncoming traffic and crashed head-on into our client’s vehicle, resulting in catastrophic injuries to the five occupants and to the driver of the truck.
In yet another, a 1996 Kenworth Construct T800 Dump Truck traveling eastbound on Beltway 8 in Missouri City, Texas, experienced a front right tire failure. The failure led to a collision with a barrier, causing the truck to fall off the beltway and catch fire. The driver, trapped inside, was unable to escape, resulting in his death. He leaves behind a grieving wife and children.
These accidents highlight the urgent need for support and answers for the affected family. Was the tire defective?
To ensure that the family receives the help they need, a thorough investigation of this accident is needed. It is essential to determine if there was any defect in the tire or if a third party negligently repaired or replaced it. If such wrongdoing is found, it is crucial that those impacted by this incident are given the opportunity to hold the tire manufacturer accountable. They deserve the chance to obtain the necessary compensation to move forward without the burden of financial worries and to find the answers they seek.
Tire failure accidents have been on the rise nationwide, and it is essential to hold the manufacturers accountable to prevent further loss of innocent lives. The safety and well-being of individuals must be prioritized, and steps must be taken to address any issues related to tire manufacturing and maintenance.
I offer my deepest condolences to all involved during this difficult time of grief.
*****
The Ammons Law Firm represents clients nationwide in catastrophic injury and wrongful death litigation, with extensive experience in complex auto/tire defect and commercial vehicle cases.
Disclaimer: This post is not legal advice. Information contained in this blog was compiled from third-party sources or is the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if false or misleading information is contained in this post.
