In Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood, a dramatic incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when a box truck collided with a building, injuring several pedestrians before overturning, according to city officials. The crash, which resulted in injuries to the driver and five other individuals, is currently considered an accidental event by authorities.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden emphasized at a news conference that there is no immediate evidence to suggest the crash was deliberate. “At least at this preliminary juncture, we don’t have any reason to believe that this was an intentional act,” he stated. “It may very well end up being a tragic accident.”
Following the accident, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox reported that four people had been hospitalized. Initially, both the driver and one pedestrian were in critical condition, but the driver’s health condition showed improvement several hours later. Two other individuals involved in the incident declined medical treatment at the scene. Cox and other officials remarked on the potential for a more severe outcome given the busy nature of the location.
Mayor Michelle Wu expressed her shock, noting, “This is such a busy part of the city, right on the middle of the day, with people going back and forth on their way to get lunch and support our small businesses. And so it’s quite shocking to see the scene as it stands right now.”
The Boston Fire Department, in a social media update, described the scene where the Penske truck had struck multiple poles and became wedged between a pole and the building itself. Firefighters worked to free the driver trapped in the cab of the truck.
Penske representative Randolph Ryerson addressed the incident, stating that the company is aware and closely monitoring the situation. “Penske will be cooperating fully with authorities to support their investigation,” Ryerson said. “Our thoughts are with those who have been injured in this unfortunate incident. Based on our records, the truck involved was out on rent to a commercial trucking company. We have no other information at this time.”
Details about the driver or specifics around what led to the accident have not been shared by the police. Images from the crash site showed the truck on its side, surrounded by police officers and firefighters. Notably, the truck appeared to be empty at the time of the incident, according to Hayden.
The initial concerns of terrorism were quickly dismissed, despite the crash occurring just a few months after a tragic event where a man inspired by the Islamic State group drove a truck through crowds on historic Bourbon Street, killing 14 people.