Hanging by a Thread

By George L. Nitti When Maryland State Police called Morton’s Towing and Recovery in the early hours of the morning, the message was urgent: “We have one hanging off the bridge.” General Manager John D. Collins knew exactly what that meant—another wreck on the notorious stretch of Beltway known as Dead Man’s Curve, a spot infamous for crashes when rain-slicked roads and heavy loads meet steep grades. 

This time, a tractor-trailer loaded with what was claimed to be 26,000 pounds of mushrooms (though Collins jokes it felt closer to 15,000) lost control on the curve. Instead of jackknifing like most do, the rig veered left, slammed into the guardrail, and went partially over the bridge. The tractor ended up clinging to a steep incline, while the trailer dangled precariously along the bridge wall. 

Collins quickly mobilized the heavy iron: Two 50-ton Miller rotators (a 2023 Peterbilt 1150 and a 2020 Peterbilt 1150); an emergency response unit (2005 Ford F-650); and a flatbed for additional labor support.

By the time Morton’s crew arrived, the fire department had chained the trailer to a ladder truck and was busy pumping fuel. The Maryland Department of the Environment checked for spills before releasing the scene. Only then could the recovery begin. 

“It was a challenge,” said Collins. “The tractor’s front end was rolled on its side, and the fifth wheel lock wouldn’t release. We had to pick and shift everything in one piece to keep from ripping out the trailer floor.” 

The plan required precision. One rotator rigged to the trailer’s rear while the other handled the front. With careful coordination, the crew lifted the entire unit as one, inching it back toward the bridge in small, controlled moves. The maneuver took hours, and for added security, Collins even called in a backup rotator from a nearby company—though Morton’s team ultimately handled the heavy lifting. 

Finally, by mid-morning, the truck and trailer were safely back on the bridge. Morton’s operators Ronald Doss, Steven Grohs, and John M. Collins assisted in the recovery, which wrapped up after more than six hours of hands-on rigging. Once the rig was upright and secured, Morton’s loaded debris into dumpster bags, removed damaged axles, and transported the entire mess back to their Rockville yard. 

As for the driver? Miraculously, he kicked out the windshield and walked away with minor injuries. 

For Collins, a towing veteran of more than 40 years, he said, “Saving it in one piece was the goal—and we did it.”