A veteran firefighter tragically died Friday night in a boating accident near a recently reopened bridge in Louisiana.
Firefighter Dies in Boating Accident
Lt. Dennis Casey Jr., 24-year veteran of the East Bank Consolidated Fire Department, was operating a personal watercraft when the accident occurred on May 22, 2026. Witnesses said he struck scaffolding beneath the Chef Menteur Pass Bridge, which had recently reopened after repairs.
Community Remembers Casey
Casey, a Jefferson Parish firefighter and father of three young children, was a well-loved member of the community. Friends said he often supported local events, including family fishing tournaments on Venetian Isles.
Kirk Jacobs, chief of the Fort Pike Volunteer Fire Department, said Casey was familiar with the area and frequently fished there. The bridge had been under repair for three months and reopened just the Thursday before the accident.
Official Response
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed a “vessel allision,” the term for a moving vessel striking a stationary object. A Coast Guard boat crew assisted the New Orleans Police Department, New Orleans Fire Department, and New Orleans EMS, though they were not the lead agency.
Neither the NOFD, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, nor the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries provided immediate comments. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development said any bridge inspections related to construction hazards would be part of the ongoing investigation.
Bridge Repairs
The 97-year-old Chef Menteur Pass Bridge was closed in February 2026 due to structural issues. Repairs included replacing several beams and trusses that support the Highway 90 road surface.
Department Statement
The East Bank Consolidated Fire Department released a statement mourning Casey:
“Our department has lost a valued member of our fire family… all qualities that Lt. Casey exemplified throughout his distinguished career.”
They asked the public for thoughts and prayers for Casey’s family and the fire department during this difficult time.
