A Perdue Farms driver was found dead after the tractor-trailer he was driving went off a bridge and into the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia over the weekend.
Officials identified the driver as Ronnie Andrews, 61, of Robersonville, North Carolina. He died following the crash at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Cape Charles on Sunday, Feb. 15, according to local reports.
In a statement, Perdue said it was “heartbroken” to confirm the driver’s death and offered condolences to Andrews’ family, friends and loved ones, adding that he had been a valued member of the team.
The crash happened around 6:30 a.m. local time as the tractor-trailer was traveling south near the North Channel Bridge, just south of Fisherman Island. The vehicle went over the west side of the bridge and into the cold water below. Authorities said no other vehicles were involved and that weather conditions were not a factor.
By Sunday night, crews had recovered Andrews’ body as well as the tractor and trailer from the bay. The investigation remains ongoing.
Andrews’ widow told a local NBC affiliate that he had worked for Perdue for about five years and did not mention feeling tired when they spoke the night before the crash.
