Truck Drivers Reflect on Risks of Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel After Colleague's Tragic Accident

Family and friends mourn the loss of Ronnie Andrews, a Perdue Farms truck driver who died after his vehicle went off the bridge-tunnel.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Family and friends are mourning the loss of 61-year-old Ronnie Andrews, a Perdue Farms truck driver who died on Sunday morning after his tractor-trailer went off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and into the water. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the crash, but other experienced truck drivers who frequently cross the bridge-tunnel say it requires intense focus and can still feel dangerous, even for seasoned professionals.

Why it matters

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a critical transportation link for commercial truckers in the region, but it has also been the site of several serious accidents over the years. This tragedy highlights the risks that truck drivers face and the need for continued safety improvements and vigilance when crossing the span.

The details

According to officials, weather conditions at the time of the crash were calm, with low winds and no rain. Bryan Carmon, a former co-worker of Andrews, described him as a kind and dependable colleague. Carmon, who has over 20 years of experience as a truck driver, said he is particularly concerned about the guardrails on the bridge-tunnel and typically drives below the speed limit when crossing. Artisha Burgman, who has been a truck driver for 10 years, said she has witnessed similar crashes in other states and is urging other truck drivers to remain cautious while traveling across the bridge-tunnel.

  • On Sunday morning, Ronnie Andrews' tractor-trailer went off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and into the water.
  • The last time a tractor-trailer went over the bridge was in June 2023, when a driver struck a curb and blew a tire.

The players

Ronnie Andrews

A 61-year-old Perdue Farms truck driver who died after his tractor-trailer went off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and into the water.

Bryan Carmon

A former co-worker of Ronnie Andrews who has over 20 years of experience as a truck driver and frequently crosses the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel for work.

Artisha Burgman

A truck driver for 10 years who owns Lady Legacy Trucking LLC and has witnessed similar crashes in other states.

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What they’re saying

“I was just pretty shocked about what happened.”

— Bryan Carmon, Former co-worker of Ronnie Andrews (wtkr.com)

“He was a great co-worker. Every time I saw him, he was just a nice guy.”

— Bryan Carmon, Former co-worker of Ronnie Andrews (wtkr.com)

“I'm not going to lie, I'm just scared to travel the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Half of the time, if I see a load going there, I really don't want to go on it.”

— Bryan Carmon, Truck driver (wtkr.com)

“I was on 40 coming through Arkansas, and there was a truck that came from the top of the highway down to the bottom. It smashed through every guardrail and ended up on the bottom.”

— Artisha Burgman, Truck driver and owner of Lady Legacy Trucking LLC (wtkr.com)

What’s next

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel officials said maintenance crews are working to repair the damaged guardrails, and the repairs are expected to take several days as the investigation continues.

The takeaway

This tragic accident highlights the inherent risks that truck drivers face when crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, a critical transportation link in the region. It underscores the need for continued vigilance, safety improvements, and support for the truck driving community to ensure their well-being and the safe passage of goods across this challenging span.