Authorities in Virginia have not recovered the body of a box truck driver who crashed off of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel on Tuesday morning.
The crash occurred at 8:30 a.m. on December 29 when 47 year old Maryland-based box truck driver Erik Mezick crashed off the side of the bridge and plummeted into the water below.
A tractor-trailer went over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel this morning. Look at the scene in this short clip sent in from a viewer. You can see a hole on the side. We are told it was a truck from the Cloverland Green Spring Dairy company. More details on @WAVY_News midday. pic.twitter.com/Lr19nWwDMs
— Tamara Scott (@TamaraScottWAVY) December 29, 2020
Witnesses later told the Coast Guard that they saw Mezick leave the vehicle and drift west in the water.
After a day of searching, the Coast Guard announced around 7 p.m. on Tuesday that they had called off the search for Mezick.
The day-long search involved a Coast Guard helicopter, two Coast Guard boats, and resources from local police and fire departments. The Coast Guard says that they searched a 178 square mile area.
“We would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of this individual during this time of tragedy,” said Capt. Samson Stevens, commander of Coast Guard Sector Virginia. “We would like to thank the local first responder agencies for their partnership and dedication in coordinating efforts and searching throughout the day with our crews.”
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.