The crash took place Tuesday morning near Virginia Beach.
The Coast Guard and local officials on Tuesday night called off a one-day search of a man on the water near Virginia Beach after a towing accident.
Authorities received a call to 911 around 8:30 a.m. reports that the tractor-trailer crashed into the south side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and entered the water, he said. the Coast Guard.
According to Coast Guard, witnesses reported seeing a man get out of the vehicle and drift west.
A Baltimore-based distribution manager for Cloverland Green Spring Dairy confirmed Tuesday evening to Richmond subsidiary ABC WRIC on Tuesday evening that one of its dairy trucks was involved in the crash. Chesapeake Bay Tunnel Bridge Authority identified the missing man as Erik Mezick, 47, of Fruitland, Maryland.
“Everyone’s thoughts and prayers at CBBT are with Mr. Mezick’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Jeff Holland, CBBT executive director, told WRIC.
In addition to two Coast Guard boats and a Coast Guard helicopter, local police and firefighters and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission combed the waters to find the missing person.
Crews searched 178 square miles before the evening search was canceled.
The Coast Guard urged anyone who had information or saw the man in the water to call the Virginia Sector Command Center at (757) 483-8567.