News
Girlfriend of driver who died in CBBT tractor-trailer incident gives birth
Officials with the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel have identified the driver who died after his tractor-trailer went over the northbound lanes of the bridge on Thursday.
Friday afternoon, CBBT officials said diving crews recovered the body of Christopher A. Scott, 36, of Henrico, Virginia, along with the tractor-trailer owned by Keep It Moving 22, LLC.
Just before 2 p.m. Thursday, CBBT officials said the tractor-trailer crashed through the guardrail and went into the water near the 1 milepost. Search efforts began immediately following the crash.
Crofton Diving, out of Portsmouth, recovered the truck around 3 p.m., Friday, along with Scott's body.
CBBT officials said northbound traffic on the bridge was down to a single lane as crews made repairs to the curb and guardrail. The left lane will remain closed until repairs can be made which is expected to take about a week.
On Thursday, the Virginia Beach Police Department told News 3 a "Good Samaritan" jumped into the water to help the driver of the tractor-trailer, however, Tom Anderson, a spokesperson for the CBBT, disputed that claim. On Friday, VBPD confirmed that the information about a person diving into the water was incorrect.
“The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the CBBT are with the family and loved ones of Mr. Scott during this difficult time,” said Jeff Holland, Executive Director of the CBBT.
CBBT police are still investigating what led up to the crash.
The Coast Guard confirmed that the driver of the tractor-trailer was the only person inside the vehicle and believes the trailer was carrying landscaping supplies.
This is not the first time an incident like this has happened on the CBBT. There have been at least five other times in recent years when a large truck has crashed over the side of the CBBT. The most recent occurred in 2020.
The Coast Guard says they've had the help of Coast Guard Station Little Creek, Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish, Coast Guard Cutter Seahawk, Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, Virginia Beach Police, Virginia Beach Fire Department, Virginia Beach EMS, and Virginia Marine Resource Commission.
