Published on: December 30, 2024, 12:12h.
Last updated on: December 30, 2024, 12:12h.
A tragic incident in Biloxi, MS, resulted in the death of a man after his vehicle plunged off a pier in the Gulf Coast casino town.
Authorities and medical personnel were alerted just before 9 p.m. on Sunday night when a car veered off the drive-on Biloxi Fishing Pier. The extensive pier, nearly 5,000 feet long, stretches into the Biloxi Back Bay close to the Biloxi Bay Bridge/U.S. Highway 90.
The Harrison County Coroner stated that Paul Costello, 67, from Milton, FL, likely mistook the pier, located south of the Palace Casino Resort at E. Howard Ave., for a bridge. Costello had just dropped off his family at the casino and was looking for parking.
It seems Costello may have believed he had taken a wrong turn onto a bridge and intended to turn around on the other side. The pier, a narrow two-lane accessible pier for vehicles, only has one turnaround spot before reaching the end of the jetty.
The coroner’s office confirmed that Costello drowned. He was vacationing in Biloxi with his family from Florida and was alone in the vehicle.
Ongoing Investigation
Costello’s family informed authorities that he had no known health issues and was in good spirits before the tragic event. Toxicology tests will be conducted by the coroner to determine if alcohol or drugs played a part.
A crane-equipped tow truck was utilized to retrieve Costello’s vehicle from the Biloxi Fishing Pier.
The pier is a popular spot for Biloxi residents and guests of the Palace Casino Resort. The waters of Biloxi are famous for their abundance of redfish, a group of several fish species. Redfish can be caught throughout the year in Biloxi, with the most active fishing seasons being spring and fall.
Redfish are known for their feisty nature when caught by anglers due to their aggressive feeding habits, making them relatively easy to catch.
The Biloxi Bay is an excellent location for anglers to pursue redfish,” FishAnywhere.com reports. “The marshes and vegetation provide ideal feeding, shelter, and breeding grounds for reds, allowing them to grow to significant sizes here.
For those not interested in fishing, numerous eateries in the area offer redfish dishes.
The Half Shell Oyster House on Lameuse St. near Hard Rock is renowned for its Royal Redfish dish. The specialty includes bronzed redfish served on a bed of grilled asparagus and Cajun boiled mashed potatoes with Royal Red shrimp sautéed in a white wine cream sauce and sprinkled with parmesan cheese.
Need for Warning Signs
Until the tragedy on Sunday night, there were no warning signs at the end of the Biloxi Fishing Pier to alert drivers. Despite the low speed limit of 10 miles per hour, drivers could be distracted by anglers along the road and the scenic water views.
A look at Google Street View of the Biloxi Fishing Pier shows only a gray, metal fence measuring four feet high at the pier’s end. There are no stop or warning signs visible.
Originally referred to as the Point Cadet Fishing Pier, the structure was inaugurated on April 30, 2013. This 4,700-foot-long concrete pier replaced a beloved fishing pier destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.