2013 in Review: Video Shows Bay Bridge Crash Survivor Clinging to Shore

Editor's Note: As the year winds down, Annapolis Patch is looking back at some of the top stories of the year that made you talk, cry, laugh or just scratch your head. This article first ran July 24, 2013.
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By D. Frank Smith
(July 24, 2013.)—After plummeting nearly 50 feet from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge while trapped inside her car on Friday, the 22-year-old survivor escaped and swam to shore.

This YouTube video shows the first moments Morgan Lake landed on the shores near Sandy Point State Park. 

The video was posted by YouTube user Scott Fortney, who offered the following details about the incident:

"I was three cars behind her when her car was struck by the tractor trailer and flipped over the jersey wall. The car went under, appeared to be about 10'-15' of water depth, 30' foot drop from bridge. Morgan emerged and clung to rocks until water rescue took place," Fortney wrote.

Fortney called out to Lake, asking her if she was the only one in the car. Lake replies that she was alone. Others called out to her telling her that 911 was on the way, and that there had been a bad accident on the bridge.

Following the incident, AAA has called for a federal review of the safety of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

The Washington Post interviewed a survivalist who offered tips on how to best handle life-threatening situations, like being trapped underwater in a car.

Follow-up:

(August 29, 2013.)—The driver of a truck that was on his first unsupervised trip in the country, according to a report from a transportation safety board. 

The Maryland Transportation Authority Police charged the truck driver, Gabor Lovasz, with failure to control speed to avoid a collision, unsafe lane changing, negligent driving and traveling at a speed greater than reasonable and prudent on a highway. The total fines amount to $670.