A federal judge decided on Wednesday to keep the June 1 start date for the civil trial litigating a container ship’s collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge over two years ago in Baltimore.The civil trial is moving forward despite a recent federal indictment against an Indian national who worked on the cargo ship and two foreign companies that own and manage the Dali. They were charged with conspiracy, failing to report a known hazardous condition to the Coast Guard, obstruction, and making false statements.U.S. District Judge James Bredar of Maryland refused to postpone the civil trial at the request of the two companies involved in the case. He also rejected a federal prosecutor’s request to let the criminal case proceed before the civil case.
“The right course, the best course, the most fair course, is to stay the course,” Bredar said at a court hearing on Wednesday.
Less than two weeks away, the civil trial will focus on whether the ship’s owner and manager are entitled to cap their financial liability or are subject to unlimited damages.
The Dali lost power four times in the 10 hours before its collision with the bridge, which collapsed upon impact on March 26, 2024. The National Transportation Safety Board blamed a loose wire on the vessel.
