BOSTON, MA — Further details are emerging after a serious crash early Thursday morning left a pickup truck perched in a precarious position on the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, snarling morning traffic and prompting an emergency response along a major Boston commute route.
Shortly before 7:00 a.m. Thursday, a pickup truck collided with a roadside barrier on the northbound side of Interstate 93 near the Zakim Bridge, causing the vehicle to come to rest partly over the edge of the highway. Aerial footage and ground‑level videos showed the front right wheel of the truck dangling over the concrete wall that lines the bridge span as crews worked to stabilize the scene.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) confirmed that the crash forced the closure of the right lane at Exit 19 northbound, constricting traffic and contributing to significant delays during peak commuting hours. Responders, including state police and towing crews, were on site to secure the vehicle and manage traffic around the hazard.
At the time of initial reports, authorities had not released information regarding any injuries to the driver or other motorists involved, and damage assessments were ongoing. Police and state transportation officials have said the cause of the crash remains under investigation, and inquiries are underway to determine whether weather conditions, speed, mechanical failure, or another factor contributed to the incident.
Commuters traveling through Boston’s North End faced slower than normal traffic flow as lanes were reduced and emergency crews worked to clear the scene. While northbound traffic was disrupted, westbound and southbound lanes were reported moving with fewer restrictions.
The Zakim Bridge — officially the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge — is a signature cable‑stayed structure that carries Interstate 93 across the Charles River between Boston’s North End and Charlestown. The bridge supports multiple travel lanes in each direction and is a critical artery for thousands of daily commuters in the region.
Incidents on this stretch of I‑93 can have ripple effects across Boston’s road network because of the bridge’s role in local and regional traffic flows. In the past, crashes on or near the Zakim Bridge have led to lane closures and backups that extend well into the surrounding highways during morning and evening rush hours.
Officials have urged drivers on Friday to plan ahead for possible residual delays as cleanup and investigation efforts continue. Additional updates, including any official statements from the Massachusetts State Police or MassDOT regarding the cause of the crash or condition of those involved, are expected later Thursday.
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