Authorities Reveal Cause of Brooklyn Bridge Ship Collision – Identities of Two Young Victims Released

What was meant to be a simple ride on a ship turned tragic over the past weekend when the vessel crashed into a bridge. It has now been revealed that those lost were employed by the ship.

This month, a Mexican naval ship collided with the Brooklyn Bridge, resulting in the loss of two lives. Officials have since disclosed the victims' identities. Here's a look at what is known about the case.

What Happened to the Mexican Navy Ship

Two people died and 22 others were injured when the historic Mexican naval training tall ship Cuauhtémoc collided with the Brooklyn Bridge. The crash occurred less than five minutes after the ship left Pier 17 on Saturday night, May 17, 2025.

According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, two critically injured individuals later succumbed to their injuries. The crash occurred just before 8:30 p.m., during a sailing maneuver conducted as part of a training cruise.

The Mexican Navy said the ship lost steering power and was pulled into the bridge by the current. It had recently departed from Acapulco, Mexico, on April 6, 2025, for a goodwill tour with planned stops in New York, Aberdeen (Scotland), Jamaica, Cuba, and London.

After docking in New York for five days, the ship opened to the public as part of this tour. It was scheduled to head to Reykjavík, Iceland, after refueling along Brooklyn's waterfront.

At around 8:20 p.m., the vessel began backing away from Pier 17 with 277 individuals on board. It initially moved at 2.3 knots with assistance from a tugboat. Within minutes, the ship accelerated to 6 knots, though the reason for this speed increase remains unclear.

Instead of heading south as planned, the ship began moving in the wrong direction up the East River and accelerated in reverse. At 8:24 p.m., a VHF radio call was made for help, followed by two more. By 8:24:45 p.m., the ship's mast struck the underside of the bridge.

Emergency crews arrived shortly after the ship came to a stop at 8:27 p.m., deploying more than 100 fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. A cadet and a sailor who fell from the mast were confirmed dead. While 200 cadets have since returned to Mexico, 94 crew members remain on board.

The bridge was temporarily closed but has since reopened. Although there was no "major damage" to its structure, emergency officials and inspectors continue to assess any potential impact.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, which could take up to two years. It will focus on the crew, the ship's condition, and environmental factors such as weather and tides.

At the time of the collision, the ship was experiencing moderate wind and river currents. While the string lights were on, indicating electrical power, the vessel's captain reported losing steering after a power failure disabled the rudder.

Video footage shows the accompanying tugboat trying to redirect the ship southward before it began drifting toward the bridge. Experts believe the ship may have been actively pushing in reverse, based on the visible wake.

During a press conference that night, Adams confirmed that a mechanical malfunction caused the ship to veer off course. Although no one fell into the water, divers were deployed as a precaution. The injured sailors were taken to Bellevue Hospital.

The ambassador to Mexico emphasized that the injured individuals, who were transported to various hospitals, were the top priority. The Mexican Ministry of the Navy will work to contact the families of the injured to provide updates.

A video shared on X captured the moment the ship crashed into the bridge, shattering its lit masts. Witnesses could be heard screaming in shock as the damaged ship continued moving through the bridge.

The Secretariat of the Navy, or Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR), also released a statement. In Spanish, the account confirmed that the condition of the crew and equipment is currently being assessed by naval and local authorities, who are offering support.

The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to crew safety, operational transparency, and excellence in training future officers of the Mexican Navy.

Bystanders watched the rescue efforts and applauded as injured sailors were brought to safety. The New York Police Department (NYPD) has advised the public to avoid Brooklyn's Dumbo area and Manhattan's South Street Seaport while the investigation continues.

The Identities of the Two Fatal Victims

The two individuals who died have now been identified and their bodies returned to their families in Mexico. According to Mexican Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles, they received posthumous honors at the Naval Military School before being laid to rest.

The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled their deaths accidental. The victims were Adal Jair Maldonado Marcos, a sailor from San Mateo del Mar in Oaxaca, and América Yamilet Sánchez, a 20-year-old cadet from Xalapa, Veracruz.

On the day of the incident, Veracruz Governor Rocío Nahle García identified Sánchez as one of the victims in a post on X. In a translated message, he wrote, "I deeply regret the passing of Veracruz cadet América Yamilet Sánchez."

He added, "My love, support, and solidarity go out to her family. My gratitude to the @SEMAR_mx and my wishes for a speedy recovery for those injured. Veracruz is with you."

As family and friends mourned Sánchez, her relatives demanded a full investigation. Her aunt questioned why the Mexican Navy had not done more to bring the family to New York to retrieve her body.

Another relative described the crash footage as inexplicable and insisted the tragedy was avoidable. Maritime expert Captain James Staples, who is not involved in the investigation, said, "Were the anchors ready to be let go? That's one thing. If the engine continued to go astern, then is there a procedure for shutting down the engine? In most ships, there are."

Sánchez had been on the rigging at the time of the collision. Her mother, Rocío Hernández, described her as an exemplary daughter and aspiring naval engineer who had only one year left before graduating.

An altar decorated with quinceañera photos, a cultural tradition marking a girl's fifteenth birthday and entry into adulthood, serves as a tribute in her home.

Her body is being returned to the Veracruz Naval Academy for a private ceremony before being brought home. In San Mateo del Mar, Oaxaca, friends and family honored 23-year-old Marcos, recalling his lifelong dream to become a sailor like his father.

Admired for his intelligence and dedication, serving aboard the Cuauhtémoc, also known as the "Knight of the Seas," was his proudest achievement. His death left a deep void in his coastal hometown. Marcos' Facebook account revealed he was originally from Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, but had been living in Puebla City.

Mexican naval and diplomatic officials are supporting the injured and the larger naval crew. Eighteen of the injured have recovered and returned to Veracruz, while two remain hospitalized in New York.

The Mexican government is flying family members to the United States, and the remaining crew continues to stay aboard the Cuauhtémoc, receiving city-provided supplies until the US Navy arranges land-based housing.

City officials are planning for the crew to attend the upcoming Fleet Week Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, coordinated by New York City Emergency Management.

What Will Happen to the Ship?

City agencies are working to stabilize the Cuauhtémoc's damaged masts to enable its transport for repairs. It will be fully restored at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The NTSB is coordinating with Mexican authorities to inspect the engine, analyze onboard data recorders, and interview key personnel such as the harbor pilot and tugboat operators. The damaged ship is currently docked at Pier 36 in Manhattan.

In a May 20 update, the NTSB stated it is still waiting for authorization from the Mexican government to access the Cuauhtémoc. The agency is also collecting CCTV footage and requesting additional videos from the public.

Specialized equipment is being brought in to secure the vessel for transport. Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard has inspected the hull and, along with the NYPD, is using drones to visually assess the damage.

The NYPD is maintaining security at the dock and has enforced speed restrictions in the vicinity to prevent disturbances from water wakes.

More About the Cuauhtémoc

The Cuauhtémoc, which has been sailing for over two decades, plays a key role in sharing Mexican culture globally. It had welcomed visitors and dignitaries at Pier 17 earlier in the week. The Seaport Museum announced the ship's New York visit on its website, with free, unregistered rides available from May 13 to 17.

Built in 1981 at the Celaya Shipyards in Bilbao, Spain, the Cuauhtémoc serves as a historic training vessel for the Mexican Navy and stands as a symbol of Mexico's diplomatic outreach. Named after the last Aztec emperor, the ship trains cadets and officers through Mexico's elite Heroic Naval Military School.

Over the years, the Cuauhtémoc has joined many international regattas and visited ports around the world. By last year, it had reached 212 ports in 64 countries, traveling a total of 756,085 nautical miles, the equivalent of circling the globe 35 times.

The vessel was on its annual training journey for the class of 2025 and had been scheduled to continue to Iceland before the crash occurred. Although it was expected to participate in the international tall ships parade for America's 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026, it had not officially confirmed its participation.

The tragic collision of the Cuauhtémoc highlights both the risks of naval training and the international ties that connect maritime communities. Investigations continue as families, governments, and sailors search for answers and healing.