Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes : “Key Bridge Collapse: 6 Workers Killed – Baltimore Sun”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Key Bridge collapse victims
2. Baltimore Sun Key Bridge tragedy

Seven men left home on Monday evening for a night shift on the Francis Scott Key Bridge, repairing the Interstate 695 roadway. Tragically, six crew members did not return to their families in Baltimore, Dundalk, Owings Mills, and Glen Burnie following the collapse of the bridge on Tuesday. Divers recovered the bodies of two men, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, from a red pickup truck in the Patapsco River. The workers, originally from Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, were part of a crew from Hunt Valley-based Brawner. The community has come together to support the families of the victims through fundraisers and donations.

The Tragic Key Bridge Collapse in Baltimore

Seven men set out for their night shift on the Francis Scott Key Bridge, located in Baltimore, to repair the Interstate 695 roadway. Little did they know that it would be their last journey home to their families in Baltimore, Dundalk, Owings Mills, and Glen Burnie.

Devastation Strikes

As the sun rose over the wreckage of the collapsed Key Bridge, six members of the crew, including fathers, husbands, and at least one grandfather, did not return to their loved ones. Divers discovered the bodies of two men, Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, inside a red pickup truck. Fuentes was from Mexico, and Cabrera was from Guatemala.

The Tragic Incident

The Latino workers were in the middle span of the bridge when a container ship struck its support column, causing the expanse to plunge into the Patapsco River. Despite a mayday call from the ship, the construction crew from Hunt Valley-based Brawner, who were addressing potholes on the roadway, could not escape the disaster.

A Heartbreaking Loss

While a Maryland state highway inspector and one construction worker survived, four others who fell into the icy waters of the river remain missing as the search and recovery efforts persist. Three of the men hailed from Mexico, with one sustaining injuries but now discharged from the hospital. The remaining workers were from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Remembering the Victims

While authorities have yet to officially identify the other four victims, CASA, a nonprofit supporting immigrants, confirmed that Maynor Suazo Sandoval and Miguel Luna were among the missing. Suazo Sandoval, a husband and father of two, was preparing for his birthday celebration on April 27. Luna, described as a hardworking grandfather, had dreams of starting a small business in Baltimore.

Community Support

In response to the tragedy, the Latino Racial Justice Circle established a GoFundMe page to aid the families of the six missing workers. The online fundraiser surpassed its $60,000 goal, accumulating over $70,000 in donations by Wednesday evening. The funds will assist the families with essential needs such as rent, groceries, and utilities.

A Grief-Stricken Industry

Jeffrey Pritzker, the executive vice president of Brawner Builders, expressed the company’s profound sorrow over the loss of their colleagues. Pritzker highlighted the dangers faced by road construction workers, citing statistics from the Centers for Disease Control that revealed over 2,200 deaths at construction sites between 2003 and 2020.

A Shocking Turn of Events

Bobby Knutson Jr., a construction worker at Brawner, shared his disbelief at the unforeseen collapse, expressing concerns about the safety of workers in such environments. Knutson reminisced about the camaraderie amongst the crew members, including Hernandez and Luna, who were both dedicated workers with promising futures.

Remembering the Fallen Heroes

As the recovery efforts continue on the Key Bridge, the community mourns the loss of these hardworking individuals and rallies together to support their grieving families in this time of tragedy. Their memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew them and the legacy they leave behind.