A motorcyclist was struck and killed by a truck on the George Washington Bridge early Thursday morning, according to fire officials, shutting down upper-level lanes into Manhattan for hours as investigators worked the scene. The crash was reported around 5:14 a.m., and the motorcyclist was declared dead at the scene.
The fatal collision prompted an immediate response from the Port Authority, which oversees the bridge, according to PIX11, which cited FDNY in reporting the motorcyclist's death. Fire officials told the outlet the motorcyclist was hit by a truck and pronounced dead at the scene, though further details about how the crash unfolded have not been released.
Bridge Closure Snarls Morning Commute
In the hours after the crash, the Borough of Fort Lee urged motorists to avoid the George Washington Bridge altogether, warning that the span would remain closed for an extended period while the investigation continued. Fort Lee officials specifically asked drivers to steer clear of the bridge for the next six hours, according to the same PIX11 report.
Separately, the upper-level lanes of the bridge heading into Manhattan were closed early Thursday following the fatal crash, according to NJ.com. That outlet noted that Fort Lee officials asked motorists to avoid the bridge until at least noon because of the ongoing investigation.
Investigation Continues
As of Thursday, the investigation into the crash remained ongoing, with no additional details released about what led up to the collision. The circumstances of the crash, including the exact point on the bridge where it occurred, have not been independently confirmed.
Commuters relying on the George Washington Bridge, one of the busiest crossings between New Jersey and New York, as reported by Fort Lee Borough, NJ, faced significant delays as officials worked to clear the scene and continue their investigation. No further updates on the bridge's reopening time had been confirmed at the time of this report.
