NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The widow of a North Carolina truck driver who died when his rig plunged off Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in 2017 is suing for $6 million.
The Virginian-Pilot reports the lawsuit filed by Billie Jo Chen against the CBBT says the bridge-tunnel’s own wind and gauge policy should have prohibited Joseph Chen from crossing the bridge.
Attorneys with Pender & Coward, the Virginia Beach firm representing the CBBT, did not respond to interview requests from The Virginian-Pilot.
Filings in Northampton County Circuit Court show the CBBT is claiming sovereign immunity, which typically protects governmental entities from negligence lawsuits.
MJM says
Uh, Hello Pender and Coward ? This is Earth calling. What planet are you folks on ? We seem to be having trouble reaching you, and apparently so does common sense.
You see, we are having trouble understanding your allegation that “wind and gauge policy” should have prohibited this driver from crossing the bridge”. We thought he was driving the truck. Not a stack of papers from a long standing engineering study that has demonstrated a wonderful safety record that you allege. How did the truck then drive itself since it had no self drive mode ? Our toll booth camera shows your driver drove the vehicle himself through the toll and onto the bridge and did not make it to the other side. We believe that operator error, or lack of abilities, was a major contributing factor that caused this terrible problem, and his untimely death.
Therefore, due to your arrogance, and taking advantage of this widow’s depression, we are counter suing you for a total of $10 million. You Pender and Coward. Not the widow. We undertake this counter suit due to the expenses of the recovery and cleanup, and your slander of our good name.
tokenny says
Arrogance meet MJM – “Driving through heavy winds, a tractor-trailer plunged off a bridge into the frigid waters of the Chesapeake Bay on Thursday. Even though the driver was seen alive and standing on the floating truck’s roof, he was found in the water and unresponsive by the time a U.S. Navy helicopter reached him.”
https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation-world/bs-md-blown-off-bridge-20170209-story.html
Sometimes suits are legit.
Slide Easy says
Who the hell died and left you in charge?? Who do you think you are???
MJM says
Hmmmm……..I get the feeling that my not so humble opinion is being challenged here. Look, I never claimed to be in charge. I simply stated my opinion. Isn’t that what this thread is all about ? But okay. If you want to be that way, I’ll play. I guess I will respond to these 2 people that are all unhappy with me and found the words to insult me.
Let’s see, tokenny thinks I’m arrogant. REALLY ? You really like to paste hyperlinks into your opinion that mean nothing, don’t you ? That story says nothing except for the fact that a truck went over the rail in winds, the guy was seen alive, but he didn’t make it. We all know the truck went over and the guy didn’t make it. As I already said, that is unfortunate. I got no joy out of that. It was terrible. At the same time, have you read the local paper ? This week ? 2 days ago ? The Post ? It’s not the 1st time this info has been in a paper. EYE WITNESSES complained at the scene that the truck driver was driving recklessly, SPEEDING, weaving in around their cars, almost hit them, and then plunged over the side”. I’m arrogant ? PAY ATTENTION. How about the possibility that the man driving the truck had total disregard for those around him and could have pushed them over the side ? In actuality, isn’t THAT the absolute epitome of arrogance ? He could have easily taken others with him. Someone from your family. Then lawyers jump on board and want to blame it on The CBBT ?
Yeah. You’re right. Some lawsuits are legit. The CBBT laid off until these lawyers tipped the scales. In my opinion the CBBT should now go after that firm for pursuing this. Sometimes counter suits are legit too.
Now, “who died and left me in charge ?” Why would you say that to me ? I simply stated my opinion. Excuse me for having words that hit home. You sound like I am not entitled to an opinion. Wasn’t this article placed here to get opinions ? All I did was state my opinion, inject a little humor, and treat lawyers the way they treat others. I could have easily come back in here and asked you why you have your head so far up your butt, except I don’t play that way unless you push the envelope. That provides no information or opinion. It does just so happen that I have been in charge of a fleet of delivery vehicles. I have probably been to court 200 times with drivers involved in tickets and/or accidents. Been here done this. Experience in such situations helps pick certain words. So I guess it may have been the directness of my words and the confidence in my statement that inspired your insult. Maybe I should thank you for recognizing my correct summation of the situation ? But I have a feeling that was not your intent. Anyway, have a nice day ?
Slide Easy says
If it had been your family member, you would not be so arrogant. Reread your post. Look up the word Empathy, then sit and think about it. Your personal defense of the CBBT is alarming….but there have been many big fish in that small pond.
MJM says
empathy…the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.
“my personal defense of the CBBT is alarming, but there have been many big fish in that small pond.”
arrogance.. arrogant person is one who is full of excessive self worth or self importance and who demonstrates a feeling of superiority over others.
So, where do I begin ? How about, If you knew me you would be laughing at someone’s thought that I lack empathy. However, there is no way I can prove it to you so I go here now…..You really missed the entire point of my submission. You apparently simply lack the Darwinian mindset I have to life, and how people are very much so, active participants in the natural selection process.
I have empathy for everyone that was on that bridge that day. I do not have more for any one than the other. I hope you would consider that fair. I never stated or implied that I had no feelings for the driver. I directed my opinion to attorneys who I believe are showing no one empathy, are taking advantage of a widow’s depression, are ignoring the danger and psychological trauma the truck driver put the other drivers though, and are abusing the law and their degrees to bully the CBBT.
In my opinion the man’s death is tragic and an accidental suicide. No one made him speed, drive recklessly, endanger the lives of others, or kill himself. That was his choice and he is responsible for that.
When a rabbit exits his burrow right in front of a fox the outcome is not pretty either. It simply is what it is. PAY ATTENTION. READ THE REPORT OF EYEWITNESSES. Prior to crossing he had been told of the conditions. He called his employer and expressed his concerns and then decided to cross the bridge. No one made him cross the bridge. If this was my family member I would be telling my family he drove the truck himself and decided to cross himself and decided to seriously increase the risk and danger with his dangerous behavior and made a big mistake that he alone is responsible for. You see, my family believes we are all responsible for our own actions. I can live with my family member making a mistake. I miss him ad I am sad, and I apologize to the people he almost killed. We are not perfect, although you apparently think I think I am since you mistakenly call me arrogant.
Defending the CBBT is alarming ? I am not defending them. Their engineering and safety record defends itself. How many millions drive across and this doesn’t happen ? How many trucks ?
I have displayed zero arrogance. I stated a direct opinion. I have displayed no superiority complex.