Wife of missing WSDOT worker issues statement as search continues

UPDATE — 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 18

While the search continues for a Washington State Department of Transportation employee who drove his car over the edge of the Hood Canal Bridge, the wife of the missing man has provided a statement.

I’d like to thank everyone at DOT for their support and concern during this terrible time. My husband loved his job, loved working with the Hood Canal Bridge crew, and loved his family. My family and I would also like to thank the first-responders and others for all the work they’re doing to find him.

The statement was provided to WSDOT and sent to employees in an email on May 18.

Authorities are not releasing the name of the WSDOT employee while the search continues. Search crews had used sonar in an attempt to find the vehicle at a depth of 300 feet along the canal floor. Four potential sites were identified but after using an unmanned underwater vehicle, the car has not been found.

ORIGINAL STORY

Search crews suspect the Washington State Department of Transportation employee drove off the Hood Canal Bridge Monday evening. After a day of searching, a Navy underwater vessel was called in to search the floor of the canal.

The Washington State Patrol says broken cable barriers on the bridge’s lower deck, where only employees drive, seems to indicate a car broke through. Trooper Russ Winger says Coast Guard sonar picked up a possible target, so the Navy is bringing in an underwater search vehicle.

Multiple agencies are searching for a WSDOT employee who drove his personal vehicle off the Hood Canal Bridge Monday evening. (Washington State Patrol)

Related: Vote will determine if tolls will rise on 520 bridge

“It’s 300 plus feet in that area,” said Trooper Russ Winger. “It’s kind of beyond the range of a diver.”

“Doing sonar scans they’ve located some potential targets south of the bridge,” he said.

An email from Roger Millar, WSDOT’s acting secretary, briefed employees of the situation Tuesday morning. There are indications that one of the Hood Canal Bridge maintenance technicians drove his personal vehicle off the bridge’s lower deck, breaking through the pedestrian railing.

“The vehicle went off in an unauthorized vehicle area,” Winger said. “Only a maintenance type workers can get down in that area and are supposed to be down there. We do believe that it’s a high probability that a worker went over in a vehicle.”

Authorities were first alerted to situation when a family member reported the WSDOT worker missing Monday night. Then officials found the guard rail had been broken through on the bridge and a search was launched.

The Washington State Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, Kitsap County Fire and Rescue and other personnel are all searching the waters for the missing employee and his vehicle.

Follow @https://twitter.com/DyerOxley