A horrific collision between the Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtemoc and the Brooklyn Bridge on May 17 has led to at least two fatalities and injuries to 27 others.

According to reports, eyewitness testimony, and video footage of the incident, the collision occurred at around 8:30 P.M. Cuauhtemoc, the Mexican Navy Vessel, reportedly lost power as it sailed near the Brooklyn Bridge on its way towards Iceland.

After losing power, the vessel was allegedly swept backward by a current, which caused it to smash into the bridge.

Cuahtemoc was 297 feet tall at the time of the crash, so it’s no surprise that the masts were not able to duck beneath the bridge. Video of the incident shows the masts were lined with bright lights, and a massive Mexican flag could be seen fluttering in the wind. All three masts collided with the bridge and were snapped at 90-degree angles.

Onlookers were shocked by the ordeal since it was apparent that there was no way it could make it under the bridge, but it didn’t appear to be making an effort to avoid it. Witnesses also reported being more confused by the fact that the ship was reportedly blasting very loud music at the time of the crash.

277 crewmembers were removed from the vessel. Two crewmates, America Yamilet Sanchez and Adal Jair Marcos, lost their lives in the crash. 27 others were injured, with 11 being listed in critical condition.

While Cuauhtemoc was significantly damaged, the Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez confirmed that the bridge wasn’t structurally impacted enough to stop traffic for long. By the end of the night, the bridge was back open for cars. The Cuahtemoc, on the other hand, is being held at Pier 36.

The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the crash, while the injured victims are being treated at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The Cuauhtemoc has been sailing the world since 1982. Prior to the collision, it had just left Pier 17 and was headed towards Iceland. It was scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 different nations during the voyage. It planned to visit Jamaica, Cuba, Cozumel, New York, France, Scotland, and more. The trip was set to take place over a period of 254 days.

Senator Charles Schumer has publicly questioned whether funding cuts may have contributed to the incident.

Understanding Criminal and Civil Liability

In such tragic circumstances, so many lives have been irreversibly impacted. It’s inevitable for those individuals and families to start questioning who should be held criminally and financially responsible for such a serious misstep.

If you’ve ever been involved in a situation where you think you could be held criminally or financially responsible for the fallout, then it’s in your best interest to talk to an attorney as soon as possible. The right attorney will help you fully understand your potential liabilities, legal rights, and options.

Schedule a free phone call with our team of Brooklyn attorneys now to get answers to your legal questions.