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Driver killed as truck careens off Bay Bridge

Crash snarls traffic, leads to three-hour delays

By SCOTT DAUGHERTY, Staff Writer

Published 08/10/08

A tractor trailer careened off the side of the Bay Bridge in the early hours Aug. 10 during a three-vehicle crash, plunging into the Chesapeake Bay and killing the driver, police said.

Paul W. Gillespie — The Capital TOP: A tractor trailer lies partially submerged under the eastbound span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The crash killed the driver of the truck. BOTTOM: Traffic backs up approaching the bay bridge toll facility on eastbound Route 50.

Two people in a Chevrolet Camaro involved in the 3:55 a.m. wreck were injured. They were flown to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center with serious injuries. Two people in the other car, a Toyota Prius, were not injured.

Divers pulled the driver from the tractor trailer shortly after the wreck. The 18-wheeler, which is owned by Mountaire Farms in Delaware, landed upright and settled with its top visible in about 10 feet of water.

Few details about the wreck — which occurred on the two-lane, eastbound span of the bridge — were available. Cpl. Jonathan Green, spokesman for Maryland Transportation Authority Police, could not say why the truck drove off the bridge or name the victims. He said he has not heard of a vehicle driving off the side of the bridge in his 15-year history with the department.

At 6 p.m., the eastbound span remained closed. The westbound span was open for two-way traffic, with two lanes open to westbound traffic and one lane open to eastbound traffic.

Drivers on Route 50 reported delays of more than three hours both ways during the afternoon and the number to call for Bay Bridge traffic conditions rang busy most of the day. Eastbound traffic was backed up past the Severn River Bridge and Interstate 97 this afternoon. Cpl. Green said westbound delays stretched to the Route 301/Route 50 split.

See a slide show at:
http://media.hometownannapolis.com/flash/2008/08/10bridge/index.html

“This is one of the worst experiences of my life,” said Ben Boyer of Schellsburg, Pa., as he crept east on Route 50 toward the Severn River Bridge on his way to Ocean City. “It’s hot, ... (my air conditioning isn’t work), and now it’s raining on top of everything.”

Two-way traffic was in effect on the eastbound span at the time of the wreck. Cpl. Green explained the westbound span was closed for maintenance.

Cpl. Green said the tractor trailer was heading west when it crossed the eastbound lanes and struck the jersey wall a quarter-mile from Kent Island. It busted through the wall and landed in the shallow water about 30 to 40 feet below.

The unidentified truck driver was a Mountaire employee. Cpl. Green said police are working to contact the family.

“We are devastated. We are a really close-knit family,” said Roger Marino, spokesman for Mountaire Farms — a poultry company with farms in Delaware and North Carolina. He declined further comment, saying he knew little about what happened. “This is a tragic loss for the entire Mountaire family.”

sdaugherty@capitalgazette.com

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Waiting - 2008-08-18 07:18:22

It took us eight hours to go about 12 miles. We were so tired when we finally got to O.C. we were coming from Ford City, PA

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Mary Ann Jackson - Ford City, PA - Karma: Bad

Alcohol a Factor? - 2008-08-12 14:05:27

I'd like to know the blood alcohol level of the driver of the Camaro.

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M. MacK - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad

Worst Experience - 2008-08-11 14:05:35

My thoughts are also with the victims and families. In Mr. Boyer's defense, his comment does not mention the tragic accident. For all we know, he may have had no idea why the bridge was backed up. He may have thought there was a broken down vehicle, etc.

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Bart K. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad

Messages - 2008-08-11 13:53:25

When I went to Annapolis yesterday taking Rt. 50 since 450 is closed. they had a sign that said Accident on Bay bridge. Traffic back up 4 hour delay to cross bridge.The sign was before any exits. That was @ 2:30 and traffic was past Rowe blvd. exit.

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Brandy Kerr - Crofton, MD - Karma: Bad

Post Alternative Routs - 2008-08-11 13:18:39

I have lived in the Arnold area most of my life and have seen many time that the bridge is back up for these kinds of tragedies. I understand why they keep the bridge closed and people have to wait, but I believe that they should post messages on those roadside light up signs telling people to use alternate routes. For example, they could post one before the 97 North exit on Rt 50 saying ?Bay bridge accident. 3 hrs or more delay. Use 97 to 95, etc? to give people the knowledge they need to work around the backup. Some people would ignore it, but a little information would go a long way to keep the traffic moving for those who want to take the alternatives.

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Steve B. - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad

Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2008-08-11 13:16:57

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- Karma: Terrible

Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2008-08-11 13:13:43

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- Karma: Terrible

hello - 2008-08-11 11:02:45

there are alternate routes home from OC ..... They were urging people to take 13 to 95 thru Del. Or even better, stay an extra night somewhere on the Eastern Shore! My thoughts are with the vitims and the families of this terrible accident.

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Kristina P. - Easton, MD - Karma: Bad

clean it up! - 2008-08-11 10:28:00

Maryland transportation authority need to prioritize keeping cars moving and the road operational --no matter the accident status.

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Lyn S. - davidsonville, MD - Karma: Bad

Worst experience? - 2008-08-11 00:02:39

Shame on you, Mr. Boyer!! Consider how blessed you are that your "worst experience" consisted of being stuck in traffic, in the rain, without air-conditioning. Certainly the experience of the victims pales in comparison.

My thoughts are with the victims and their families.

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c. phillips - Arnold, MD - Karma: Bad