VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The Virginia Beach fishing pier held a grand reopening ceremony Friday morning, several months after a 57-year-old man drove off it.
The pier already opened its gates to visitors earlier this week in a quiet, soft reopening.
The pier’s walkway and railing are now deemed safe, repaired from the damage caused by a car going off the end.
Rescuers spent days searching for the vehicle, often delayed by bad weather. They eventually found the car and the body of a 57-year-old man inside. It is a crash that left a mark in the minds of locals, who are still maintaining a memorial for the man next to the pier.
Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer was at the ribbon cutting ceremony and spoke about the city’s recent HOPE Pipeline initiative, which works to improve mental health services in the city.
A moment of silence was given for all those living with mental health challenges before the ribbon cutting.
“That is indeed part of our legacy and reputation,” Dyer said. “But by the same token, we are also embracing the concept and the need for improved mental health services.”
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