VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – The Medical Examiner’s Office will determine who was in the car that drove off the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier at 14th Street on Jan. 27, but when police receive that information, they likely will not release it to the public.
A spokesperson with Virginia Beach Police confirmed to WAVY Monday that they do not plan to release the name “as this incident appears to have been a deliberate act.”
As of Monday, VBPD was still awaiting the ME’s report.
The driver crashed through the metal gate at the entrance to the fishing pier that Saturday morning, then continued the full length before driving off the edge into the water.
It took almost a full week before crews were able to recover the vehicle because of unfavorable conditions in the water. Police confirmed a body was found in the vehicle, a red Nissan Kicks SUV.
Somewhat early in the investigation into the incident, police said they were contacted by the family of a missing male and confirmed there were “many similarities to facts and circumstances.” WAVY reached out to police following the vehicle’s removal Friday to ask if they would be releasing information about the person who died. They said they do not anticipate that they will disclose a name.
WAVY also heard back from a city spokesperson Monday with new information about the pier inspection. According to Bryan Clark, there are no obvious signs of damage on the sand side from what staff members could tell from land. The city is waiting to receive the engineer’s report to determine if the structure needs any repairs before it can reopen.
Ocean Eddies Seafood Restaurant operates near the entrance of the 14th Street Fishing Pier. It reopened a few hours after the Jan. 27 incident. The pier itself, which is located at the heart of the resort area, is open seasonally. It would typically open around Easter, which falls on the last weekend of March this year.
Follow WAVY News 10 on-air and online for updates on whether or not there is structural damage to the pier.
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