Baltimore bridge collapse survivor 'fought for his life' after car plunged into river
Baltimore bridge collapse survivor Julio Cervantes Suarez's attorneys say workers were not warned of a potential collapse while they were taking breaks in their cars.
One of two construction workers who survived the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore on March 26 is alleging that workers were not told to evacuate as the Dali cargo ship approached a support beam on the bridge.
Attorneys representing Julio Cervantes Suarez told reporters on Monday that workers were taking a break in their cars on the bridge when the cargo ship crashed into the bridge, causing the collapse that killed six construction workers and injured two others. Authorities are still working to recover two of the six deceased after a fourth body was recovered on Monday.
"He fought for his life, and he survived," attorney Justin Miller told reporters of Suarez during a Monday press conference recorded by FOX 45 Baltimore.
Attorney L. Chris Stewart told the outlet that Suarez was able to narrowly escape the collapse with his life because the windows of his vehicle were manual. Suarez was able to roll his windows down and escape when his car plunged into the Patapsco River while others were trapped.
"They were living the American dream. Fixing America's infrastructure," Stewart said of the workers on the bridge that day, adding that the six deaths resulting from the collapse were "all preventable."
Stewart noted that some of the workers were related, and Suarez lost some of his family members in the freak collision.
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"It’s left him with severe mental and emotional pain and suffering," Stewart said of his client. "He lost family members in that. Some of the workers were related, including some of his family who perished."
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Suarez does not know how to swim but was able to hang on to a piece of debris in the water, Stewart said.
"He survived because his window was manual. He was able to roll down the window and escape. And then he was able to hang on to some drifting steel and survive," the attorney explained.
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Attorneys on Monday announced that they will be conducting an independent investigation into Grace Ocean, which owns the Dali. The FBI also announced on Monday that it has opened a criminal investigation into the collapse.
Grace Ocean filed for legal protection of its assets earlier this month, attorneys noted during Monday's press conference.
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"The Casualty was not due to any fault, neglect, or want of care on the part of Petitioners, the Vessel, or any persons or entities for whose acts Petitioners may be responsible," the petition states. "…Petitioners claim exoneration from liability for any and all losses or damage arising out of the Casualty and from any and all claims for damages that have been or may be filed. Petitioners further allege that they have valid defenses to any and all such claims."
An attorney representing Grace Ocean and Synergy Marine did not immediately respond to an inquiry from Fox News Digital.