The morning sky over Northampton County was calm and clear when tragedy struck. Ronnie Andrews, 61, of Robersonville, North Carolina, was killed Sunday after the tractor-trailer he was driving went off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and into the water below.
The crash happened around 6:30 a.m. on the southbound span near the North Channel Bridge, just south of Fisherman Island. Authorities say Andrews’ truck veered over the west side of the bridge. Emergency crews responded quickly, but despite their efforts, he did not survive.
Officials confirmed the incident involved only one vehicle. Weather conditions were not to blame. There were low winds, no rain, and visibility was fair at the time. Investigators are still working to determine exactly what caused the truck to leave the roadway.
Andrews was a valued employee of Perdue Farms. The company released a statement expressing deep sorrow over his death. Leaders said they were heartbroken and extended condolences to his family, friends, and coworkers. They also confirmed they are cooperating fully with authorities as the investigation continues.
For those who knew him, Andrews was more than a truck driver on an early morning route. He was a familiar face, a steady presence, a man who showed up and did his job. His sudden loss has shaken both his workplace and his hometown community in North Carolina.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a vital stretch of roadway connecting Virginia’s Eastern Shore to the mainland. For drivers who cross it daily, Sunday’s crash was a sobering reminder of how quickly routine can turn into heartbreak.
Now, family members, friends, and colleagues are left to mourn a life cut short. Ronnie Andrews leaves behind a community grieving deeply and remembering the man they knew beyond the headlines.
