The Virginia Beach Oceanfront community was left in shock and mourning following a tragic incident where a car drove off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier. This timeline details the events surrounding the incident, the subsequent recovery operation, and the tentative reopening of the beloved pier.
On a somber Friday morning, February 2nd, recovery teams successfully retrieved a vehicle from the ocean depths, a few hundred feet from the bustling Oceanfront boardwalk. Tragically, the recovery operation also led to the discovery of a deceased individual inside the car. Authorities had previously indicated a possible connection to a missing person case, and following identification by the medical examiner, it was confirmed that the recovered individual matched the description of the missing man.
This incident prompted a temporary closure of the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, a landmark for locals and tourists alike. However, there is a silver lining on the horizon.
Virginia Beach Fishing Pier Tentative Reopening in April
Virginia Beach Fishing Pier with the ocean and shoreline visible, indicating the popular tourist destination, planned for tentative reopening in April.
According to a spokesperson representing the Lachman family, the owners of the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, a tentative reopening is anticipated in April. This hopeful news comes roughly two months after the unsettling event that led to the pier’s closure.
Timeline of Events: From Incident to Recovery
February 6, Tuesday: Identification Confirmed
Police officially confirmed the identity of the person found in the vehicle as a Virginia Beach resident.
February 2, Friday: Vehicle and Body Recovered
- In the evening, a poignant vigil was held at the Fishing Pier, illuminated by candles, to remember the individual who passed away. The community gathered to offer support and remembrance.
- Earlier in the day, around 9:30 a.m., authorities pronounced the individual found in the recovered car deceased. The vehicle was identified as a red Nissan Kicks, notably lacking license plates. The immediate next steps involved the medical examiner’s office working to formally identify the deceased and notify their family.
Chief Communications Officer Jody Saunders of the Virginia Beach Police Department stated, “They’ve got our forensics specialists on the barge and they’re going to extract the body from the vehicle and he will go with the medical examiner and attempt to identify him and reunite him with his family.” - At approximately 9:20 a.m., the red Nissan Kicks was successfully lifted from the ocean and placed onto a barge. Police reported the entire operation concluded at 9:48 a.m. without any injuries to personnel involved.
- Sonar technology played a crucial role in locating the submerged vehicle. The first diver from Crofton Industries, a company specializing in underwater services, entered the water around 9 a.m. to begin the recovery process.
Please be advised that the following video content may be disturbing to some viewers.
Car Pulled from Ocean at Virginia Beach Fishing Pier
- At 9:08 a.m., the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) announced via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that conditions appeared favorable to proceed with the recovery attempt. A barge from Crofton Industries had arrived earlier at approximately 6:15 a.m. to prepare for the complex operation. To ensure safety and operational space, a section of the shoreline and the pier itself were temporarily closed to the public.
- Prior to 8:45 a.m., news crews on site observed a crane being strategically positioned in the water near the pier, ready to be utilized in the vehicle recovery.
Crane positioned near Virginia Beach Pier, preparing for the delicate operation to recover a car that drove off the pier.
- Around 8:30 a.m., VBPD patrol boats were seen actively monitoring the waters surrounding the pier, maintaining security and overseeing the area.
February 1, Thursday: Unfavorable Conditions Hinder Recovery
- Around 12:30 p.m., the VBPD communicated that Crofton Industries had assessed the conditions and determined them unsuitable for safe recovery operations. However, weather monitoring was ongoing, with indications suggesting a possible recovery attempt on Friday, February 2nd.
- Earlier, just before 11 a.m., a news team observed a VBPD patrol boat in the vicinity of the Fishing Pier’s edge, continuing to monitor the situation.
Virginia Beach Police Department boat patrolling the waters near the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, ensuring safety and monitoring conditions during the car recovery efforts.
January 31, Wednesday: Continued Delay Due to Weather
- Just before 1 p.m., police announced that adverse weather conditions were again preventing a recovery attempt. A Small Craft Advisory issued by the National Weather Service was in effect, making operations unsafe. Police had previously suggested that the next attempt might occur on Thursday, February 1st, but weather dictated otherwise.
- Drone footage captured on Wednesday afternoon offered a stark view of the conditions at the Oceanfront and provided a clearer perspective of the damage sustained by the pier.
Drone Footage of Virginia Beach Pier Damage
January 30, Tuesday: Missing Person Link Possible
“Though we have indicators these cases are related, at this time, we are unable to confirm this missing person is associated with the car that still has to be recovered. The ROV HAS NOT been able to discern if the submerged vehicle has a license plate attached. Once the vehicle is recovered, we will need the local office of the Medical Examiner to confirm identity of any occupant(s). The ongoing recovery efforts remain focused on reuniting any occupant(s) with their loved ones and maintaining the integrity of the investigation.” – Virginia Beach Police Department Statement
Sign on Virginia Beach Fishing Pier displaying suicide awareness information, highlighting mental health resources available in the community.
January 29, Monday: Underwater Video and Safety Concerns
“The car is unstable,” explained Sgt. Ricardo. “The fear for us is not that it will drift but that one of the divers will get entangled in the car.” – Sgt. Ricardo, Virginia Beach Police Department
Video of Car Submerged Near VB Pier
January 28, Sunday: Initial Recovery Attempt
“At this time, the exact number or identity of occupants remains unknown. The goal of this mission is to safely retrieve the vehicle, reunite all occupants with their loved ones, and maintain the integrity of all evidence.” – Virginia Beach Police Department Statement
- Around 1 p.m., professional salvage divers from Crofton Industries, along with a salvage barge, were deployed to attempt the car recovery. However, hazardous water conditions, posing risks to diver safety and barge stability, hampered the initial attempt.
Barge and crane from Crofton Diving and Salvage positioned near the end of Virginia Beach Pier, deployed for the car recovery operation after a car drove off the pier.
January 27, Saturday: Car Drives Off Pier
- Due to dangerous water conditions and limited visibility, divers were unable to retrieve the car on the day of the incident. Instead, sonar technology was utilized to precisely locate the vehicle on the ocean floor.
- Video footage emerged showing the car driving towards the end of the pier, pausing momentarily, and then proceeding off the edge into the water.
Raw Video of Car Driving Off VB Fishing Pier
Still frame from video footage showing the moment a car drove off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier into the ocean water.
This timeline will be updated as new information becomes available.
Mental Health Resources
This tragic event serves as 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:
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7. Learn more at 988lifeline.org.
Findtreatment.gov
Confidential and anonymous resource for locating 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 free, peer-supported service. Additional resources at www.nami.org/help.
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective
Offers affordable virtual and in-office therapy sessions. Learn more at www.openpathcollective.org.
Police tape surrounding the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, indicating an ongoing investigation and highlighting the serious nature of the car driving off pier incident.
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