The Virginia Beach Oceanfront witnessed a tragic incident where a car drove off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, plunging into the Atlantic Ocean. Following days of challenging recovery efforts, authorities successfully retrieved the vehicle and discovered a body inside. This incident, which occurred at the popular tourist destination, has prompted numerous questions and a somber reflection within the community.
The recovery operation culminated on the morning of Friday, February 2nd, when the red Nissan Kicks was lifted from the ocean floor, a short distance from the bustling Oceanfront boardwalk. During this delicate operation, Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) officers confirmed the discovery of a deceased individual within the vehicle. This development confirmed fears that the incident was linked to a previously reported missing person case. Medical examiners later identified the body as the missing Virginia Beach man, bringing a degree of closure to the anxious wait for his family and the wider community.
Here’s a detailed timeline of the events that unfolded following the Virginia Beach car driving off pier incident:
Pier Reopening Tentatively Set for April (March 21)
In a recent update, a spokesperson representing the Lachman family, the owners of the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, announced tentative plans to reopen the pier to the public in April. This hopeful news comes more than two months after the pier was partially closed following the car plunging into the ocean. The reopening is eagerly anticipated by local residents and tourists alike who frequent the iconic landmark.
Identification of the Deceased (Tuesday, Feb. 6)
VBPD officially confirmed that the individual found inside the recovered vehicle was the missing Virginia Beach man. The medical examiner’s office completed the identification process, allowing the police to notify the man’s next of kin. This confirmation marked a significant step in the investigation and provided clarity surrounding the tragic event.
Car and Body Recovered from the Ocean (Friday, Feb. 2)
Friday, February 2nd, was a pivotal day in the Virginia Beach Car Drives Off Pier incident. The extensive recovery operation reached its conclusion with the retrieval of both the vehicle and the body. Key events from that day include:
- Evening Vigil: A community vigil was held at the Fishing Pier around 6 p.m. on February 2nd. Candles were lit to remember and honor the person who lost their life in this tragedy, demonstrating the community’s empathy and support.
- Pronouncement of Death and Vehicle Details: At approximately 9:30 a.m., police pronounced the individual recovered from the car dead. They also released details about the vehicle, confirming it was a red Nissan Kicks without license plates. Forensic specialists and medical examiners were on-site to carefully extract the body and begin the identification process. Chief Communications Officer Jody Saunders of VBPD highlighted the sensitive nature of the operation, emphasizing the goal to “reunite him with his family.”
- Vehicle Extraction: The red Nissan Kicks was successfully lifted from the ocean at 9:20 a.m. and placed onto a barge. Police reported that the entire operation concluded at 9:48 a.m. without any injuries to personnel involved.
- Sonar and Diver Operation: Sonar technology was used to pinpoint the car’s location on the ocean floor. The first hardhat diver from Crofton Industries entered the water around 9 a.m., initiating the physical recovery process.
***DISCLAIMER: Some viewers may find the content in the video below upsetting***Car pulled out of ocean at Virginia Beach Fishing Pier (Note: Replace “your_youtube_video_id_here” with the actual YouTube video ID if available)
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Favorable Conditions and Barge Arrival: VBPD announced via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) at 9:08 a.m. that conditions were favorable for the recovery attempt. Crofton Industries’ barge had arrived earlier at 6:15 a.m. to begin preparations. Authorities closed a section of the shoreline and pier to provide space for first responders and facilitate the “delicate operation.”
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Crane Positioning: News crews observed a crane being positioned near the pier in the water just before 8:45 a.m., indicating the imminent commencement of the vehicle lifting process.
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VBPD Water Patrol: Prior to the recovery, VBPD boats were seen patrolling the waters surrounding the pier at approximately 8:30 a.m., ensuring safety and perimeter control.
Recovery Attempt Halted Due to Unfavorable Conditions (Thursday, Feb. 1)
Thursday, February 1st, saw a setback in the recovery efforts. Around 12:30 p.m., Crofton Industries advised VBPD that weather conditions were unsuitable for safely proceeding with the car recovery. Despite the setback, Crofton Industries continued to monitor weather patterns, holding out hope for a possible recovery attempt the following day, Friday. Earlier that day, before 11 a.m., a News 3 crew documented a VBPD boat patrolling the area near the Fishing Pier, maintaining vigilance despite the delayed operation.
Car Remains Submerged (Wednesday, Jan. 31)
Continuing challenges due to weather conditions further delayed the recovery on Wednesday, January 31st. Just before 1 p.m., police announced that another recovery attempt was thwarted by prevailing weather, including a National Weather Service Small Craft Advisory. Prior to this, authorities had indicated the next recovery attempt could potentially occur on Thursday, February 1st. Drone footage captured on Wednesday afternoon provided a visual overview of the challenging conditions at the Oceanfront and offered a clearer perspective on the damage sustained by the pier.
Drone footage of the Virginia Beach pier (Note: Replace “your_youtube_video_id_2_here” with the actual YouTube video ID if available)
Possible Link to Missing Person Case (Tuesday, Jan. 30)
As recovery efforts continued, VBPD revealed on Tuesday, January 30th, a potential connection between the car driving off the pier and a missing male person case. While acknowledging indicators suggesting a link, police emphasized that confirmation was pending vehicle recovery and identification of any occupants. Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) operations had been unable to confirm the presence of a license plate on the submerged vehicle. VBPD stressed that the ongoing efforts were focused on “reuniting any occupant(s) with their loved ones and maintaining the integrity of the investigation.”
Underwater Video and Unstable Car (Monday, Jan. 29)
On Monday, January 29th, VBPD provided an update, including underwater video footage of the submerged vehicle. Sgt. Ricardo explained the complexities of the recovery, stating, “The car is unstable. The fear for us is not that it will drift but that one of the divers will get entangled in the car.” This highlighted the dangerous and technically challenging nature of the recovery operation.
Video of car in ocean by VB pier (Note: Replace “your_youtube_video_id_3_here” with the actual YouTube video ID if available)
Initial Recovery Attempt (Sunday, Jan. 28)
The first car recovery attempt took place on Sunday, January 28th. VBPD reiterated that “the exact number or identity of occupants remains unknown” and that the mission’s goals were to “safely retrieve the vehicle, reunite all occupants with their loved ones, and maintain the integrity of all evidence.” Professional salvage divers from Crofton Industries, along with a salvage barge, were deployed. However, dangerous water conditions, posing risks to diver safety and barge stability, forced the initial attempt to be called off.
Car Drives Off Pier (Saturday, Jan. 27)
The incident began in the early hours of Saturday, January 27th, when the car drove off the Virginia Beach pier into the water. Immediately following the incident, dangerous water conditions and poor visibility hampered initial diver efforts to locate and recover the vehicle. Sonar technology was deployed to pinpoint the car’s location, which was subsequently determined to be on the ocean floor. Video footage emerged showing the car driving towards the pier’s end, pausing briefly, and then driving off the edge.
Raw video shows car driving off VB fishing pier (Note: Replace “your_youtube_video_id_4_here” with the actual YouTube video ID if available)
***This timeline will be updated as we learn more.***This incident of a car driving off the Virginia Beach pier has been a stark reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and support. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, please reach out for help. Resources are available to provide confidential support and guidance.
Mental Health Resources:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7. Learn more at 988lifeline.org.
- Findtreatment.gov: An anonymous resource to locate mental health and substance use disorder treatment facilities. Visit https://findtreatment.gov/locator.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline: Text “HelpLine” to 62640 or call 800-950-6264 for information, referrals, and support. Additional resources at www.nami.org/help.
- Open Path Psychotherapy Collective: Access affordable virtual and in-office therapy sessions. Learn more at www.openpathcollective.org.
Car driving off Virginia Beach pier sparks conversation about mental health
