BALTIMORE — A federal judge on Wednesday refused to postpone the trial, which is scheduled to begin next month Civil claims Caused by the collapse of 2024 Francis Scott Key Bridge in BaltimoreA. refused Delay request By companies involved in the deadly disaster.
U.S. District Judge James Bredar said the civil trial would begin as scheduled on June 1 even though the lawsuit was filed recently Criminal charges Against the companies that operated the container ship Daly, which lost power and collided with the Key Bridge in the early morning hours of March 26, 2024.
Six construction workers filling potholes were killed in the bridge collapse. Lawyers for the victims and their families urged Breidar to maintain the current civil trial schedule.
On May 12, Justice Department prosecutors announced the indictment against Singapore-based Synergy Marine Pte Ltd and India-based Synergy Maritime Pte Ltd. Also charged in the indictment is Radhakrishnan Karthik Nair, an Indian national who was Dali’s artistic supervisor.
Companies and Nair Charged Charged with conspiracy, misconduct causing death, failure to promptly report a dangerous condition to the U.S. Coast Guard, obstruction of the National Transportation Safety Board, and making false statements.
The company’s lawyers said that trial witnesses were reluctant to testify before the criminal case was resolved. But the judge said sticking to the current trial schedule would be “the most efficient use of judicial resources.”
“We’re ready to go,” Bredar said during the hearing.
The criminal indictment accuses the ship’s operator of intentionally relying on an improper fuel pump and then lying about it to investigators. Synergy Marine accused prosecutors of improperly treating the incident as a crime.
In April, a $2.25 billion settlement was announced between the state of Maryland, Synergy Marine, and Grace Ocean Private Limited, the Singapore-based owner of the ship. Grace Ocean has not been charged with any crimes related to the collapse.
The deal did not resolve outstanding claims by the victims’ families. The victims’ attorney, Daniel Rose, said the companies knew from “day one” that criminal charges were likely.
“We are all prepared (for trial),” Rose said. “Let’s move on.”