A tractor-trailer driver has died after his rig was blown over the guardrail of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Joseph Chen, 47, of Greenville, North Carolina, was driving seafood for Evans Transports over the CBBT when his truck went into the water around 12:30 p.m. Thursday, WAVY reported.
A Navy helicopter crew rescued Chen from atop his truck floating in the water, WAVY reported.
He later died on the way to an area hospital.
The CBBT had level 2 wind restrictions Thursday when winds exceeded 47 mph. When the accident happened, there were level 1 restrictions.
The CBBT is currently operating with Level 2 wind restrictions. Winds are in excess of 47 mph. #Caution
— CBBT (@FollowTheGulls) February 9, 2017
Under a level 2, tractor-trailers must be hauling 30,000 pounds, in addition to the weight of the vehicle. But at one point Thursday, the CBBT was under a level 3 restriction.
One driver who was cleared to cross told WAVY that he pulled over a mile over the 20-mile long bridge tunnel after hearing about the crash over the radio, saying that he was afraid that his truck was too light.
This wasn’t the first time a tractor-trailer was pushed off the CBBT. In January 2016, another driver’s rig was blown into the water. That driver was rescued and survived.
Credits: rare
Chen’s truck floated about two miles away from the bridge and was submerged in the water, WTKR reported.
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