In a harrowing account, Julio Cervantes Suarez, a survivor of the Baltimore bridge collapse that claimed multiple lives, spoke exclusively to NBC News about the horrifying moments leading up to the tragedy. Suarez was working on the bridge when a cargo ship, weighing over 100,000 tons, crashed into it, causing the structure to collapse. He recounted the heart-wrenching experience of watching his loved ones vanish into the dark waters one by one.

Speaking in Spanish, Suarez expressed his gratitude to God for his family and pleaded for their safety as he believed his own life was slipping away. He described the water rapidly engulfing his truck, preventing him from escaping through the doors. In a moment of desperation, Suarez rolled down the window, swallowing water as the vehicle submerged. Panic set in as he surveyed the damaged bridge, realizing it was no longer recognizable.

Unable to swim, Suarez managed to find sanctuary on a floating piece of concrete from the wreckage and waited until he was rescued. Although he sustained a chest wound, he was released from the hospital the same day, while another survivor refused treatment. While physically in pain, the emotional toll of the incident will stay with Suarez for the rest of his life.

Haunted by the fact that he had instructed his nephew, Carlos Daniel Hernández, whom he considered a son, to remain in his car, Suarez blames himself for not persuading his nephew to accompany him. He attends therapy to cope with the psychological trauma, but still relives the moments leading up to the collapse regularly.

Seeking justice for the lives lost and the devastation caused, Cervantes Suarez, along with the families of other deceased workers, plans to pursue legal action against the companies associated with the cargo ship. Attorney L. Chris Stewart, who represents Suarez and some of the affected families, holds all parties involved accountable for destroying the lives of eight families. The National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report revealed that the cargo ship lost power and propulsion, leading to the collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The FBI has initiated an investigation into whether the ship's crew was aware of potential mechanical issues that rendered it unsafe to navigate in the harbor.

The ship's owners and managers based in Singapore have sought limited monetary liability in a Maryland court, capping their liability for the collapse at $43.67 million. However, the emotional impact and irreplaceable loss suffered by the affected families go beyond monetary compensation.

As the investigation continues, the survivors, like Suarez, grapple with the memories of that fateful day. Despite the enormity of their personal challenges, they remain resolute in seeking justice and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for the irreparable damage caused to their lives and the six families affected by this American tragedy.