By Andres Cruz
Last Thursday, the newly constructed pedestrian bridge at Florida International University collapsed in the early afternoon, where numerous commuters waiting at a red light underneath the bridge fell victim to the collapse. As a result, six people people were killed and many more were severely injured. Authorities stated in a press conference late Saturday that all six bodies of the dead were recovered, with five of them dying at the scene of the collapse and the last victim dying later in the hospital.
A message from President Rosenberg regarding the collapse of the pedestrian bridge on 8th Street. #FIUBridge pic.twitter.com/c7javtzi4N
— FIU (@FIU) March 16, 2018
Following the tragic collapse, questions and anger quickly arose towards the construction company responsible for the building of the bridge, the Munilla Construction Management.
The Munilla Construction Management firm is ran by five Munilla Brothers – Pedro, Jorge, Raul, Fernando, and Juan – who have built strong political friendships with representatives in the nation’s capital. The most outspoken brother of the bunch, Pedro Munilla, is also known for being active in the fundraising capacity. He has participated in numerous galas such as the Liga Contra El Cancer, the Miami Exile Museum, and other locally prestigious organizations.
Within themselves, all five brothers have contributed more than $100,000 to the Anti- Castro U.S.-Cuba Democracy Political Action Committee, and thousands more to prominent Cuban figures in government, such Mario Diaz-Balart and Senator Marco Rubio. MCM is also highly connected to American politics that it was considered alongside other successful firms last year to aid a powerful chinese investor looking for acquisitions in the U.S. The construction firm has also had over 120 million dollars in defense contracts with the federal government.
Even after the devastating collapse of the 950-ton overpass and the dire need for answers as to who’s responsible for it, MCM’s friends in high places had nothing but words of praise for the brothers in charge.
Crazy up close view of FIU Bridge collapse #Miami #Bridge #fiubridge pic.twitter.com/6vS9CYXgiI
— Reynold Chery (@joshbaptiste) March 15, 2018
“… Aside from our personal friendship, the brothers are very involved in the cause for a free Cuba, which is a paramount issue for me. MCM also employees hundreds of people across South Florida, helping drive our local economy,” stated rep. Mario Diaz-Balart on Friday, the day after the bridge collapse.
Representative Carlos Curbelo had his Spokeswoman comment on his relationship with Munilla Brothers, where she stated that the Florida representative has known the family since high school. She also stated that Curbelo had absolutely no role in awarding the federal grant to MCM for the Bridge project. Senator Marco Rubio, on the other hand, decided to stay quiet and not immediately speak on his relationship with the Munillas. However, he has praised the efforts of the National Transportation Safety Board in investigating the cause of the bridge collapse, alongside Diaz-Balart and Curbelo.
Terrifying dash cam video of #FIUBridge collapse pic.twitter.com/FzCOLRCsPw
— Trust🤲🏾Invest💵Profit📈 (@_MakingCash) March 18, 2018
Regardless of who is to blame over this tragedy, the South Florida community is still mourning over the loss of the six lives taken by the collapse. Yesterday at 1:47 P.M, the exact time the overpass came crashing down last Thursday, a moment of silence held on the FIU campus by hundreds of students, staff, and local mourners with the school and state flags set at half mast.
I’m at @FIU for its moment of silence at 1:47 pm, in honor of the #fiubridge victims. @miamiherald https://t.co/4Fp9S0iJcY
— Monique O. Madan (@MoniqueOMadan) March 19, 2018
Yesterday, one of the several survivors of the collapse filed the first lawsuit against the companies responsible for the construction of the bridge, including MCM. Marquise Rashaad Hepburn, who filed the suit, claims he was “seriously injured” by a car who swerved out the way to avoid being crushed under the bridge and hit him as he rode his bicycle. The Lawsuit claims that negligence while constructing the bridge led to him receiving his injuries and has caused him bodily suffering, disability, and mental anguish.
