Victims of fatal Maryland Bay Bridge crash to sue state toller

A Baltimore lawyer who represents the family of a John Short who died last August 10 when his tractor trailer effortlessly pushed through the parapet wall and plunged off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is likely to sue the bridge operator Maryland Transportation (Toll) Authority (MDTA) for negligence. Attorney Keith Franz says the bridge may meet 1950s standards, but it isn't maintained and operated according to contemporary standards.

The spans regularly run two way traffic without any median barrier even though there are expressway standard highways on either side. A car driven by a 19 year old woman eastbound 2008-08-10 veered into the path of westbound traffic and Short's tractor trailer heading westbound was hit swerving cars. In the resulting vehicular melee the truck hit the steel parapet which gave way, sending the rig into the Bay waters below.

Short drowned in his tractor cab.

Another issue, Franz says is the extent of corrosion of bolts on the parapet.

The lawyer says he'll wait on a formal report on the accident by the National Safety Transportation Board before he files suit.

MDTA has no plans for modernization of the 6.95km (4.3 miles) crossing which comprises one 1952 8.53m (28ft) wide 2 lane span and a 1973 11.58m (38ft) wide 3-lane span. It is the only fixed crossing to the state's eastern shore from the Washington DC metro area.

TOLLROADSnews 2009-06-17