On March 26, 2023, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed due to a cargo ship named Dali losing power and crashing into one of its supporting columns. The incident resulted in six fatalities, including Julio Cervantes Suarez's nephew and brother-in-law. Cervantes Suarez was part of a roadwork crew filling potholes on the bridge during a break when the disaster occurred.
In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Cervantes Suarez recounted his harrowing experience. He described how he and his colleagues were sitting in their vehicles when they suddenly heard a loud noise and felt the bridge shaking beneath them. Realizing what was happening, Cervantes Suarez attempted to escape by manually rolling down the window of his truck and climbing out into the Patapsco River.
He recalled calling out to his companions by name but receiving no response. Unable to swim, Cervantes Suarez clung to a piece of floating concrete until he was rescued by first responders. He was later hospitalized for treatment of a chest wound.
Cervantes Suarez expressed his grief over the loss of his family members and the other victims, who were all Latino immigrants seeking work opportunities in the United States.
The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation into the cause of the power outages on the cargo ship before its voyage from Baltimore to Sri Lanka. The FBI is also investigating any potential criminal activity leading up to the disaster. The companies owning and managing the cargo ship have sought to limit their legal liability in court.
The City of Baltimore, among other entities, has accused these companies of negligence and pledged to hold them accountable for their role in the collapse. A federal court will ultimately decide who is responsible for the damages and how much they owe.
