Everything We Know about Baltimore Bridge Crash Victims

Of the eight construction workers on the Baltimore Bridge when it collapsed, two were successfully rescued alive, two deceased bodies were discovered, and four remain missing. Some of them are loving husbands and fathers.

Earlier this week, a heart-wrenching tragedy struck the Baltimore Bridge when it became the site of a catastrophic collapse. At the time, eight construction workers were on the bridge to repair potholes and maintain the integrity of the critical infrastructure.

This incident has since plunged the city into mourning and sparked widespread concern over the safety of its bridges and the brave individuals who maintain them.

In the aftermath of the collapse, a massive search and rescue operation was launched, drawing on local and state resources. This concerted effort resulted in the rescue of two workers from the cold waters below the bridge, while the fate of the remaining six hung in uncertainty.

The hope of finding the missing workers alive dwindled, leading to a somber announcement on Tuesday evening. The operation transitioned from rescue to recovery, a decision underscored by the grim reality presented by Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath.

"Based on the length of time that we've gone in the search, the extensive search efforts that we put into it, the water temperature -- at this point, we do not believe that we're going to find any of these individuals still alive," Gilreath said.

As the community begins to mourn these losses, the search continues for the remaining four workers, still missing and presumed dead. Among them are individuals hailing from Mexico and Guatemala. The two others are Miguel Luna and Maynor Suazo Sandoval, whose disappearances have left a void in the hearts of those who knew them.

Miguel Luna

Originally from El Salvador, Luna has woven the fabric of his life into the Maryland community. His life in the U.S. was marked by his unwavering commitment to his family and profession.

On the fateful Monday evening, Luna set out for work, a departure that turned into an anguishing wait for his family. Known for his dedication and hard work, Luna was on the Baltimore Bridge, contributing his skills to the maintenance work when disaster struck.

The tragedy occurred when the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after a Singaporean-flagged container vessel struck a pillar on the 47-year-old bridge. The identity of one of the six people, a CASA member, now presumed dead was shared in a heartfelt statement from CASA Executive Director Gustavo Torres.

“Sadly, we discovered that one of the construction workers involved was a longtime member of our CASA family, adding an even deeper layer of sorrow to this already grievous situation,” he stated.

Husband, father of three, El Salvadorian Miguel Luna, a Maryland resident for over 19 years, left for work on the bridge at 6:30 p.m., and he never returned home.

Miguel Luna’s wife, María del Carmen Castellón, is “devastated” at the turn of events as she said, “They only tell us that we have to wait, that right now they cannot give information. [We feel] devastated, devastated because our hearts are broken because we don't know how they have been rescued yet. We are just waiting for the news.”

A colleague of the missing workers, Jesús Campos, added, “It hurts my heart to see what is happening. We are human beings and they are my coworkers,” Campos said. "First of all, God, be alive. It's what you want most."

More than 14 hours after the disaster, authorities announced the suspension of search and rescue efforts for the missing workers working on the bridge when it collapsed.

On Tuesday evening it still remained unclear how many vehicles fell into the water, or if there are any other victims. Initially, 8 workers on the bridge got caught up in the collapse, but emergency responders pulled two workers from the water early Tuesday.

One of the rescued workers was identified as an employee of Brawner Builders. Of the two rescued, one is uninjured and the other in “very serious condition.”

The tragedy occurred on Tuesday, just before 1:30 a.m., when the container vessel called DALI struck a bridge pillar.

According to the executive director and general counsel of the American Pilots Association, Clay Diamond, the ship's local pilot did what he could to prevent it from drifting towards the bridge, but failed due to another unforeseen situation.

“Just minutes before the bridge, there was a total blackout on the ship, meaning that the ship lost engine power and electrical power, it was a complete blackout,” Diamond said.

Even though the pilot called for the anchor to be dropped, and for the rudder to steer the ship as far left as possible, it did little to prevent the collision.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore elaborated on the situation in a statement.

“As a result (of the momentary loss of power), it was unable to maintain the desired heading and collided with the Francis Scott Key bridge,” the statement reportedly read.

The 984-foot-long vessel approached the bridge in the wrong part of the channel, instead of crossing right under the bridge where the clearance is the highest.

The NTSB has since launched a team to investigate the tragedy and will lead the investigation. Initial damage estimates to the bridge and ship are more than $ 500,000, and the Office of Marine Safety will investigate the probable cause.

His Friends Worried about the Dangers of His Job

Despite the inherent risks associated with construction work, Luna took immense pride in his profession. His social media was updated with videos from his job sites, showcasing not only the tasks at hand but also the sense of accomplishment that came with each completed project. Among his last posts were an October 12, 2023 video and a January 16, 2024 video that was broadcasted live from the bridge.

In one of his posts, a friend expressed concerns for his safety, to which Luna would respond with characteristic light-heartedness. Luna replied, "nooooo," to a friend's cautionary message.

He Learned He Was Going to Be a Grandfather Ten Days before the Accident

Amidst his professional life, Luna was on the cusp of stepping into an exciting role as a grandfather. A mere ten days before the accident, Luna learned he was going to have a granddaughter.

He shared this joyous news through a video of the gender reveal party, a moment filled with happiness as a balloon released pink confetti. This precious milestone, now tinged with sadness, may be the future memories that Luna’s granddaughter will learn about him through stories told by loved ones.

His Son Tried to Call Him

The accident sent shockwaves through Luna's family, particularly his son, Marvin Luna. Upon hearing of the disaster, Marvin immediately attempted to reach his father, only to be met with silence.

The unanswered call marked the beginning of an agonizing wait for any news of his father's fate. From his home in Glen Burnie, Md., Marvin and the rest of the Luna family clung to hope amidst uncertainty. "We’re okay right now because we don’t know yet nothing about my dad," Marvin stated, reflecting the family's anxious vigil as they awaited word on Luna's well-being.

Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval

The tragedy at Baltimore Bridge also claimed the aspirations of Sandoval, a native of Santa Bárbara in Honduras. Suazo Sandoval journeyed to the US as an industrial mechanical technician, aiming to fulfill his dreams and secure a prosperous future.

The economic fallout from the pandemic necessitated his search for additional employment, leading him to a bridge supervision and maintenance company. Beyond his professional endeavors, Sandoval was a pillar in his community, known for his altruism.

He was especially passionate about supporting minor sports leagues, guided by the conviction that assisting young people in his town would offer them a more joyful and promising childhood. His generous spirit and belief in the power of community support are fondly remembered by those who knew him.

In the aftermath of the heart-wrenching Baltimore bridge collapse, the family and friends of a 38-year-old devoted dad of two have come forward to share poignant insights into the life and character of the beloved victim, whose absence has left a profound void. It was in the early hours of a somber Tuesday that tragedy struck at the heart of Baltimore and reverberated across borders, leaving communities in despair and shock.

The catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge—a vital travel passage for 30,000 Marylanders—was not just an infrastructural failure but a profound human tragedy. Among the victims was Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, who is presumed dead and whose life story epitomizes the relentless pursuit of the American Dream.

Martin Suazo—grappling with the sudden disappearance of his brother—shared the multifaceted life of Maynor with a news outlet. Originally hailing from Santa Bárbara, Honduras, as one of eight siblings, Maynor migrated to the United States, driven by aspirations for a better life, where he had resided for the past 18 years.

His journey in the US was marked by an unwavering commitment to his family, which includes an 18-year-old son, a 5-year-old daughter, and a wife. He also demonstrated a tireless work ethic.

Beyond his job as a construction worker, Maynor was an entrepreneur at heart and had founded a maintenance company. Another one of his brothers, Carlos Suazo Sandoval, went on about how Maynor was the kind of person who had "vision."

He also spoke about the unwavering hope he and his family still had in finding Maynor alive, stating, "God grant the miracle, it would be beautiful." However, he also confirmed that should his brother's body be found, their family plans to repatriate the body to Honduras and focus on breaking the difficult news to their mother and dealing with the financial burden that Maynor's family may face.

Maynor's story resonates beyond personal loss and highlights the broader narrative of immigrant workers who risk their lives in pursuit of betterment. In addition to conveying their condolences, the National Transportation Safety Board has since relayed their commitment to preventing such tragedies in the future, yet for the families affected, the pain is immeasurable.

Statements from family members and friends—originally posted in Spanish via social media platforms and news outlets—paint a portrait of Maynor as a beacon of joy and resilience. In an emotionally charged video, Maynor's sister, who was visibly shaken and bereaved, reminisced about her brother's life.

Through tears, she articulated the profound loss felt by the family: "He gave us the strength for everything." Similarly, when talking about his persona, Marina Maldonado Villeda, a neighbor, and friend, described him as a warm, enterprising individual, beloved by his neighbors, whose presence uplifted others.

"Maynor is a great guy [...] a giver of noble causes [...] with a vision and mission at the service of our community," she divulged, capturing the essence of Maynor's character.

Aside from personal reflections shared by Maynor's loved ones, his work with children and local soccer initiatives also speaks volumes about his values and morals, highlighting him as a man who believed in giving back and nurturing the next generation.

"Maynor Suazo, a young entrepreneur with a vision of service to his community, especially to the children and social causes of the municipality. Promoter and sponsor of minor soccer in Azacualpa," said Himery Perdomo, underscoring Maynor's commitment to positive communal impact.

The tragedy of the Baltimore bridge collapse in which the victims plummeted into 50-foot-deep water, serves as a somber reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by workers in critical infrastructure roles. Maynor's legacy, however, is not defined by this tragedy but by the lives he touched and the dreams he aspired to achieve.

As investigations continue and the community seeks to rebuild, the story of Maynor and his construction colleagues remains a powerful narrative of sacrifice, hope, and the unbreakable human spirit. In their memory, the call for safety, accountability, and support for the families left behind grows louder, ensuring that their loss is not in vain but a catalyst for change.

The Two Bodies Recovered

On Wednesday morning, divers recovered the bodies of two construction workers. Tragically found trapped in a red pickup truck submerged in approximately 25 feet of water near the bridge's middle span.

The victims were identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, a 35-year-old native of Mexico residing in Baltimore, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, originally from Guatemala and living in Dundalk.

Prior to the bridge's collapse, the vessel made a desperate Mayday call, alerting authorities to the imminent danger following a loss of power. Responders were quickly informed of the situation through a distress call to the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Dispatch and Response teams.

The call detailed the vessel's loss of steering and the urgent need to halt all bridge traffic. Responders were advised to ensure the safety of the bridge's occupants, including a construction crew, by attempting to evacuate them.

"There's a crew up there… You might want to notify the foreman to see if we can get them off the bridge temporarily," stated an official.

However, time was not on their side. Shortly after, the bridge succumbed to the impact, leading to a distressing report over the radio: "The whole bridge just fell down. Start, start whoever… everybody. The whole bridge just collapsed."

This calamity resulted in the loss of the construction workers and several vehicles that were on the 1.6-mile structure at the time of the collision.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore shared his heartfelt sympathies with CBS News, expressing the profound grief of the victims' families and survivors. He recounted his time spent with the bereaved families, noting their distress and clinging hope during such a trying time.