Ronnie Andrews Death,Driver Killed After Truck Plunges from Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
CAPE CHARLES, Va. – A Perdue truck driver died early Sunday morning after his rig crashed through a guardrail and plunged into the Chesapeake Bay.
The single-vehicle accident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on the west side of the southbound span, just south of Fisherman’s Island. Authorities have identified the driver as Ronnie Andrews, 61, of Robersonville, North Carolina. No other vehicles were involved.
In an official statement, Perdue expressed profound grief. “We are heartbroken to confirm that a Perdue driver has passed away following an accident on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge‑Tunnel,” the company said. “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family, friends, and loved ones… He had been a valued member of our team.”
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (CBBT) officials reported that the span sustained guardrail and curb damage, with maintenance crews making emergency repairs. They also noted that weather was not considered a factor, citing clear conditions with no rain and only mild winds at the time of the incident.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by Virginia State Police. The bridge-tunnel, a critical 23-mile link across the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, experienced significant traffic delays as crews worked at the scene and recovered the vehicle. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers faced by commercial drivers on one of the nation’s most challenging and exposed marine crossings.
