Julio Cervantes Suarez found himself in the midst of tragedy after a 985-foot container ship collided with a support pillar on Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing his co-workers to disappear into the Patapsco River below. Despite his own vehicle plunging into the water, Cervantes Suarez managed to escape by manually rolling down the windows and waiting for rescue workers to arrive. In his first interview with NBC News, he recounted the harrowing experience of searching for his missing colleagues, including his nephew whom he considered a son.
The survivor revealed that he never thought he would make it out alive after the fall and expressed gratitude to God for his family while asking for forgiveness for his past actions. Cervantes Suarez still grapples with physical pain and guilt, haunted by the thought that he had directed his nephew to rest in his car, potentially leading to a different outcome had he chosen otherwise. As federal investigators delve into the cause of the crash and the FBI conducts a criminal inquiry into the vessel’s crew, Cervantes Suarez desires accountability from those responsible for the devastating loss experienced by his family and others impacted by the bridge collapse.
Despite seeking justice for his loved ones, Cervantes Suarez acknowledged that no amount of money can compensate for the emotional void left by the tragedy, recognizing that material reparations cannot replace the warmth of a father’s embrace or the presence of a lost son. As the investigation unfolds and questions arise regarding the prevention of similar incidents in the future, Cervantes Suarez remains focused on honoring the memory of those who perished in the fateful bridge collapse, emphasizing the irreplaceable nature of personal connections severed by the catastrophic event.
