JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville drivers may remember when the Mathews Bridge was shut down for over a month back in 2013.
Now, the Florida Department of Transportation is suing the U.S. Navy and a towing company for at least $4 million after the USNS 1st Lt. Harry L. Martin struck the Mathews back on September 26, 2013 and caused significant damage.
The bridge was shut down the next day and didn't reopen until October 29, 2013.
FDOT filed a complaint in U.S. District Court in Jacksonville this past Friday against the Navy and the towing company hired to tow the Martin.
The complaint alleges that the Navy contracted the care of the Martin out to a company named Patriot Contract Services LLC.
Patriot then contracted out the towing operation of the Martin from Blount Island to the Moran Towing Corporation, according to the complaint.
FDOT says that the Navy falsely reported the height of the Martin to Patriot and Moran - saying it was six feet lower to the sea level than it actually was.
In addition, FDOT claims that the Martin was not seaworthy, as the stern ramp was unable to be lowered to a safe height.
It was this ramp that struck the Mathews back in 2013.
No injuries were reported in the collision, but FDOT's complaint does not allege any injures; instead, it argues that the Navy acted with negligence when it falsely reported the height of the Martin and did not make sure the stern ramp of the Martin could be lowered.
FDOT argues in their complaint that the Navy should be held responsible for not knowing the actual height of one of their ships and for not making sure the Martin was seaworthy.
Moran Towing is also named as a defendant in the complaint.
FDOT says that the towing company should have taken care to check the height of the Martin and to make sure that the ship did not collide with the Mathews Bridge.
We are working to get statements from the Florida Department of Transportation and the Moran Towing Company. This story will be updated as soon as more information is available.
Stay with First Coast News for updates.
Read the full complaint below:
