Crashes involving more than 40 vehicles closed all lanes on the heavily-traveled U.S. 50 Bay Bridge in Maryland on Saturday, injuring 13 people and snarling traffic for about six hours, authorities said.
Quick Read
- Massive Collision: Over 40 vehicles were involved in crashes on the U.S. 50 Bay Bridge in Maryland, causing significant disruptions and injuries.
- Traffic Impact: The crashes led to the closure of all lanes on the bridge for approximately six hours, with major delays reported for motorists.
- Injuries Reported: Thirteen individuals were injured as a result of the crashes, including two with serious injuries, though none were life-threatening.
- Chain-Reaction Incident: The initial crash involved 23 vehicles in a chain reaction, with an estimated 20 more vehicles caught up in subsequent accidents.
- Emergency Response: Traffic cameras captured emergency vehicles on the scene, and tow trucks were deployed to clear the damaged vehicles from the bridge.
- Investigation Ongoing: The cause of the crashes was still under investigation as of Saturday afternoon.
- Traffic Alternation: Traffic flow was temporarily altered to allow eastbound and westbound vehicles to share the eastbound bridge while the westbound bridge remained closed.
- Extended Delays: Motorists were warned to expect heavy delays in the Annapolis and Kent Island areas for an extended period.
- Bridge Significance: The Bay Bridge, officially named the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge, is a vital link connecting Maryland’s Eastern Shore with major metropolitan areas.
The Associated Press has the story:
13 people injured as more than 40 vehicles crash on Chesapeake Bay bridge in Maryland
Neweslooks- BALTIMORE (AP) —
Crashes involving more than 40 vehicles closed all lanes on the heavily-traveled U.S. 50 Bay Bridge in Maryland on Saturday, injuring 13 people and snarling traffic for about six hours, authorities said.
The Maryland Transportation Authority said on X, formerly Twitter, that the morning crashes on the westbound lanes closed the bridge and caused major delays for motorists.
The transportation authority said in a later post that eastbound and westbound traffic were alternating turns on the eastbound bridge, but the westbound bridge remained closed. Westbound lanes reopened Saturday afternoon, the transportation authority said on X.
Two people were taken to hospitals with serious injuries, authorities said. Eleven others also were hurt. None of the injuries were considered life threatening.
Twenty-three vehicles were involved in the initial chain-reaction crash and investigators believe about 20 others were involved in a series of secondary crashes, the transportation authority said.
Traffic cameras showed emergency vehicles with flashing lights and traffic not moving on the westbound lanes of the bridge. Several tow trucks removed vehicles involved in the crash from the bridge.
The cause of the crash was still being investigated Saturday afternoon, the transportation authority said.
The Anne Arundel County Police Department said motorists should anticipate heavy delays in Annapolis and Kent Island for an extended period of time.
Also known as the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge, the span crosses the Chesapeake Bay. It connects Maryland’s Eastern Shore with the metropolitan areas of Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, the transportation authority said on its website.
