On a Friday morning, February 2nd, a car that had driven off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier at the Oceanfront was successfully retrieved from the ocean. This incident, which occurred earlier, prompted a significant recovery operation and raised many questions. During the retrieval process, authorities confirmed the discovery of a body inside the vehicle, further intensifying the situation.
Here’s a detailed timeline of events surrounding the Virginia Beach Pier Car incident, from the initial event to the pier’s tentative reopening:
March 21: Tentative Reopening of Virginia Beach Fishing Pier
Over two months after the incident, there’s positive news regarding the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier. A spokesperson representing the Lachman family, the pier’s owners, announced a tentative reopening slated for April. This anticipated reopening marks a significant step forward for the popular landmark and the community following the unsettling event.
February 6: Identification of the Deceased Individual
Following the car’s recovery, police confirmed the identity of the person found inside. The individual was identified as a Virginia Beach man who had been reported missing, connecting the tragic pier car incident to the missing person case.
February 2: Car Recovery and Body Discovery
This day marked a crucial point in the investigation and recovery efforts.
- Vigil Held: In the evening, a vigil was organized at the Fishing Pier to remember and honor the individual who tragically died in the incident. The community gathered to show support and solidarity.
- Body Pronounced Deceased: Around 9:30 a.m., after the car was recovered, the person inside was pronounced dead. Police reports indicated the vehicle was a red Nissan Kicks without license plates. The immediate next steps involved the medical examiner’s office working to officially identify the body and notify the family.
Chief Communications Officer Jody Saunders of the VBPD 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.”
- Vehicle Extracted: By 9:20 a.m., the red Nissan Kicks was successfully lifted from the ocean and placed onto a barge. The entire operation concluded at 9:48 a.m. without any injuries to personnel involved in the delicate recovery.
- Sonar Location and Diver Entry: 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 9:00 a.m. to begin the physical recovery process.
- Recovery Operation Underway: At 9:08 a.m., the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) announced via social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that conditions seemed favorable to proceed with the recovery. Crofton Industries’ barge had arrived earlier at approximately 6:15 a.m. to prepare for the complex operation. For safety and operational efficiency, a section of the shoreline and the pier were closed to public access.
- Crane Deployment: Prior to 8:45 a.m., news crews observed a crane being strategically positioned in the water near the pier, ready to lift the submerged vehicle.
- Police Patrol: Around 8:30 a.m., VBPD boats were actively patrolling the waters surrounding the pier, maintaining security and overseeing the area.
February 1: Unfavorable Conditions Hinder Recovery
- Recovery Attempt Postponed: At approximately 12:30 p.m., VBPD announced that Crofton Industries advised against proceeding with the recovery operation due to unsuitable weather conditions. However, weather forecasts suggested a potential window for another attempt on Friday, February 2nd, and Crofton Industries continued to monitor the situation.
- VBPD Boat Patrol: Before 11:00 a.m., a VBPD boat was seen patrolling the area near the edge of the Fishing Pier, maintaining watch and assessing the conditions.
January 31: Car Remains Submerged
- Weather Prevents Recovery: Around 1:00 p.m., police reported that ongoing adverse weather conditions were again preventing a recovery attempt. A Small Craft Advisory issued by the National Weather Service was in effect. Authorities indicated that the next possible recovery attempt could be on Thursday, February 1st, which was subsequently also unsuccessful on that day as detailed above.
- Drone Footage Reveals Pier Damage: Drone footage captured on Wednesday afternoon provided a clearer view of the conditions at the Oceanfront and offered a new perspective on the damage sustained by the pier due to the car incident.
January 30: Missing Person Link Possible
- Missing Male Connection: Investigations suggested a possible link between the submerged car incident and a missing male person.
VBPD stated, “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.”
January 29: Update and Underwater Video Released
- Car Instability: Sgt. Ricardo explained the challenges of the recovery, emphasizing the unstable position of the car underwater.
“The car is unstable,” Sgt. Ricardo said. “The fear for us is not that it will drift but that one of the divers will get entangled in the car.”
January 28: Initial Recovery Attempt
- Unknown Occupants: Authorities reiterated that the exact number or identity of any occupants in the car remained unknown at this stage.
“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.”
- First Recovery Attempt: Around 1:00 p.m., professional salvage divers from Crofton Industries, along with a salvage barge, were deployed to attempt to recover the vehicle. However, hazardous water conditions, including low visibility and instability for the barge, led to safety concerns for the divers, and the initial attempt was unsuccessful.
January 27: Car Drives Off Pier
- Incident Occurs Before Dawn: In the early hours of Saturday, January 27th, the incident occurred when the car drove off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier and into the ocean.
- Recovery Hindered by Conditions: Dangerous water conditions, particularly poor visibility, prevented divers from attempting a recovery on the same day. Sonar technology was deployed to accurately locate the vehicle on the ocean floor.
- Video Evidence Emerges: Video footage surfaced showing the car driving towards the end of the pier, pausing momentarily, and then proceeding off the edge into the water.
This timeline provides a comprehensive overview of the Virginia Beach pier car incident, detailing the events from the moment the car went into the water to the subsequent recovery efforts and the tentative reopening of the pier. The incident has prompted community reflection, especially regarding mental health awareness and support resources available in the Virginia Beach area.
Mental Health Support Resources:
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or emotional distress, please reach out for help. Here are resources available:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for confidential support, available 24/7. Learn more at 988lifeline.org.
- Findtreatment.gov: A 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 information and support. Additional resources at www.nami.org/help.
- Open Path Psychotherapy Collective: Offers reduced-rate therapy sessions. More information at www.openpathcollective.org.
[
