A Bronx driver has received a $10.5 million settlement after a piece of metal debris on the George Washington Bridge penetrated his skull, resulting in life-altering brain injuries. The incident occurred on March 2, 2020, when Joseph Rosario, then 28, was driving across the span.
A 24-inch steel suspension part from a truck, which had been lying on the roadway, was propelled into Rosario's vehicle, crashing through his windshield and striking his head. The force of the impact was so severe that the debris landed in his back seat. Rosario was subsequently taken to Hackensack Meridian Health, where he underwent multiple brain surgeries due to a fractured skull and significant brain swelling.
An investigation launched by Rosario's legal team found that the piece of debris had been on the bridge's roadway for at least 10 minutes before the collision. Dashcam footage and Port Authority video logs revealed that other vehicles had been navigating around the obstruction during that time. The investigation also uncovered 12 previous incidents of vehicles being struck by debris on the bridge.
Rosario's attorney criticized the Port Authority, the agency responsible for the maintenance of the George Washington Bridge, for failing to remove the debris promptly. According to the attorney, the agency typically walks the bridge daily to clear obstructions, but records indicated that a significant amount of debris had accumulated for five days prior to the accident.
The settlement was finalized on June 17. Despite ongoing treatment and rehabilitation, Rosario now uses a wheelchair and requires care from his parents, his attorney stated. He will not fully recover from the injuries sustained in the incident.