By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Political Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
The body of the fifth victim in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has been recovered. Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, 49, of Glen Burnie, Md. was pulled from the Patapsco River more than one month after the Dali, a container ship, struck the bridge in the early morning hours of March 26, causing the structure to collapse. A total of six people lost their lives in the incident, which is under investigation.
“We remain dedicated to the ongoing recovery operations while knowing behind each person lost in this tragedy lies a loving family,” said Col. Roland L. Butler, Jr., superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police, in a news release. “Along with our local, state and federal partners, we ask that everyone extend their deepest sympathies and support to the families during this difficult time.”
The Unified Command’s salvage team discovered a missing construction vehicle and reported it to the Maryland Department of State Police.
Maryland State Police investigators, alongside Maryland Transportation Authority Police officers and the FBI, responded to the report and recovered Luna’s body in a red truck on May 1.
According to Gustavo Torres, executive director of CASA, Luna was an active member of CASA and came to the United States from El Salvador two decades ago in search of the American dream. CASA is an advocacy organization.
There is still one remaining construction worker missing.
In support of these recovery efforts, the Baltimore City Council voted to extend the city’s State of Emergency on May 1.
“Our council took action to ensure that the recovery effort at the Key Bridge can continue under the current mode of operation with all of the resources currently available,” said Council President Nick J. Mosby in a statement. “Without the council’s prompt action to extend the state of emergency, access to many of the resources would have lapsed.”
Tashi McQueen is a Report For America corps member.
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