Driver Cited After Crashing Truck Into O’Neill Tunnel

What to Know

There were major delays on I-93 southbound into Boston on Thursday after a tractor-trailer's load hit the ceiling in the Tip O'Neill Tunnel.
Video from the crash showed the tractor trailer's load hitting the ceiling of the tunnel.
The driver of the vehicle has been cited for having an overheight and overwidth truck, state police said.

Massachusetts State Police say they have cited the driver of the tractor-trailer that crashed into the ceiling of Boston's Tip O'Neill Tunnel on Thursday morning, causing major backups around the city.

The 59-year-old driver, whose name has not been released, has been cited for driving an overheight and overwidth truck, state police said. There were no other violations.

The accident caused for a nightmare commute for almost anyone heading into or near Boston. Traffic on Interstate 93 ground to a halt, with delays of up to two hours for some.

Ouch... Moments tractor trailer hit ceiling of O’Neill Tunnel SB south of exit 20. Major traffic delay on 93 - video courtesy @MassDOT @NBC10Boston pic.twitter.com/PJCj6AnF6g
— Natasha Verma NBC10 Boston (@NVermaNBCBoston) November 8, 2018

The truck's load hit the ceiling of the tunnel around 5:30 a.m., according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The truck was owned by Snap Trucking Fleet in Ontario, Canada, and was carrying a piece of filtration equipment.

Although all lanes have since reopened, commuters on the southbound expressway of I-93 in particular had major delays to contend with after the crash jammed traffic on the Zakim Bridge.

The on-ramp to I-93 south from Lincoln and Essex streets was also closed as the cleanup from the crash continued. A MassDOT spokesperson said debris from the crash was moved to the on-ramp in order to open I-93 for travel, and that on-ramp was closed for an extended period of time.

MassDOT video of the crash shows the flatbed truck's load, which appeared to be a white container, hitting the tunnel's ceiling, causing debris to litter the ground.

The driver of the truck was not injured in the crash, but state police say debris from the crash damaged at least two other vehicles.