DOJ Files Criminal Charges Against Operators of Ship That Destroyed Francis Scott Key Bridge
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Department of Justice filed 18 charges against the Dali’s operators and a technical superintendent tied to the 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse.
- Prosecutors allege ship operators knowingly used faulty fuel pump equipment and failed to disclose prior blackout incidents before the deadly crash.
- The bridge collapse killed six roadway workers, disrupted operations at the Port of Baltimore and caused billions in economic damage.
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed 18 charges against the operators and one employee connected to the ship that crashed into Maryland’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in 2024, causing its collapse and killing six roadway workers.
Singapore-based ship operator, Synergy Marine Pte Ltd., India-based Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd. and the ship’s technical superintendent, Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, are accused of knowingly relying on insufficient fuel pump equipment that contributed to the deadly crash, according to the Associated Press.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described the crash as “a preventable tragedy of enormous consequence.”
According to NBC News, the charges include conspiracy to defraud the United States, misconduct or neglect of ship officers resulting in death, failure to immediately notify the Coast Guard of a known hazardous condition, obstruction of an agency proceeding and making false statements.
The companies also face misdemeanor charges tied to violations of the Clean Water Act, Oil Pollution Act and Refuse Act related to pollutants released into the Patapsco River including oil, shipping containers and their contents and debris from the bridge itself.
The ship’s operators argued the DOJ is “criminalizing a tragic accident” and called the allegations “baseless,” NBC News reported.
Separate investigations by the FBI and National Transportation Safety Board examined different aspects of the collapse. The FBI investigated whether the ship’s crew knew about critical mechanical issues before departing the Port of Baltimore, while the NTSB focused on electrical blackouts that disabled the ship before impact, according to the Associated Press.
NBC News reported that Nair is believed to be in India, and prosecutors said they intend to use all available law enforcement tools to bring him to the United States to face charges.
What Led to the Crash
The Sri Lanka-bound cargo ship Dali lost power twice within four minutes while traveling through the Port of Baltimore toward the Atlantic Ocean. Investigators said a loose wire in the ship’s switchboard likely triggered the initial power loss and steering failure,the Associated Press reported.
After power was temporarily restored, operators relied on a fuel pump to supply two generators. However, prosecutors allege the pump was not designed to start automatically, leading to a second blackout before the ship slammed into one of the bridge’s support columns.
The indictment alleges that if the ship had been equipped with proper fuel pumps, the crew would have regained power in time to avoid striking the bridge and killing the six construction workers repairing potholes on the structure.
The Associated Press reported that two of the Dali’s sister ships experienced similar issues with the same type of fuel pump. Investigators further allege the Dali suffered two blackouts while docked the day before the crash that were neither investigated or reported and that false information was later provided to the NTSB.
The Crash’s Toll
In addition to killing six roadway workers, the collapse seriously injured a seventh worker, who NBC News described as a brother-in-law, uncle and friend to the men who died.
Replacement of the Francis Scott Key Bridge is expected to cost between $4.3 billion and $5.2 billion and is projected to reopen to traffic by 2030, according to the Associated Press.
The collapse also shut down shipping operations through the Port of Baltimore, disrupted thousands of jobs and supply chains, rerouted traffic into surrounding neighborhoods and created widespread economic impacts across Maryland.
The DOJ’s indictment follows a separate $2.25 billion settlement between the vessel’s operators and the state of Maryland, alleging negligence, reckless operation and mismanagement of a vessel deemed unfit for travel. The lawsuit also included claims from the cargo owners and local governments seeking damages tied to economic losses.
A civil trial on behalf of the victims’ families is currently scheduled for June 1, though the criminal indictment could delay proceedings, the Associated Press reported.
Sources: The Associated Press, NBC News