State seeks $7.1 milion from bridge collapse

Updated: Thu 2:16 PM, Jan 03, 2013

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky officials are seeking $7.1 million in damages from the shipping company that operated a cargo ship which struck a bridge over the Tennessee River, causing the span to collapse.

The claim by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is the largest among the more than $7.8 million in damages sought by businesses and residents of western Kentucky, near where the wreck took place.

BellSouth Telecommunications filed a $59,000 damages claim and the owners of a nearby restaurant filed a $33,000 claim.

The claims were made public Thursday as part of a filing by Foss Maritime, which owns the Delta Mariner M/V, the ship that struck the Eggner's Ferry Bridge near Aurora a year ago. The company has asked a federal judge to rule it was not responsible for causing the collapse.

Emotional vigil held for murdered Lexington teen