A series of accidents involving over 40 vehicles led to the closure of all lanes on the heavily-traveled US 50 Bay Bridge in Maryland on Saturday.
The crashes occurred in the westbound lanes, prompting the closure of the bridge and causing significant traffic disruptions for approximately six hours.
The Maryland Transportation Authority, using the X platform (formerly Twitter), initially reported the incidents and later informed the public that eastbound and westbound traffic were taking turns on the eastbound bridge.
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The westbound lanes were closed, but they reopened in the afternoon on Saturday. The collisions resulted in injuries to 13 individuals.
Westbound Bay Bridge Closed After Multi-Vehicle Crash
The occurrence transpired at approximately 8 am on the westbound section of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, as reported by the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA).
This dual-span bridge, spanning the Chesapeake Bay, serves as a vital link connecting the Baltimore–Washington metropolitan area with the Eastern Shore region encompassing Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.
The multi-vehicle collision occurred in dense fog conditions, leading to the closure of the bridge, and significant delays were anticipated in Annapolis and Kent Island for an extended duration.
Aerial footage depicted numerous tractor-trailers, pick-up trucks, cars, and SUVs involved in the accident.
Notably, a truck carrying a liquid tank trailer seemed to have wedged a sedan against a guardrail.
Two Seriously Hurt in Bridge Crash
Two individuals were transported to hospitals with severe injuries, as per authorities. Additionally, eleven others sustained injuries, but none were deemed life-threatening.
The initial chain-reaction crash involved twenty-three vehicles, and investigators suspect that approximately 20 others were engaged in subsequent crashes, according to the transportation authority.
Traffic cameras displayed emergency vehicles with flashing lights, and the westbound lanes of the bridge were at a standstill. Multiple tow trucks were observed removing vehicles involved in the crash from the bridge.
As of Saturday afternoon, the cause of the crash was still under investigation, as reported by the transportation authority.