BOSTON (WHDH) – A truck hit several pedestrians in Boston’s Chinatown Tuesday afternoon, sending four people to the hospital, officials said.
At around 12:48 p.m., officers responded to a report of a motor vehicle crash involving pedestrians at the intersection of Kneeland Street and Harrison Avenue, according to Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox.
Two of the four people hospitalized — including the driver — were in critical condition, Boston EMS said in an X post. Two others were evaluated at the scene.
Three of the patients were taken to Tufts Medical Center, according to the hospital.
“A preliminary investigation seems to indicate that this seems to be more of a tragic accident than anything else, however it’s still under investigation,” Cox said at a news conference.
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said the office’s death investigation team was on scene.
“This is such a busy part of the city, right in the middle of the day, people going back and forth on their way to get lunch, to support our small businesses, carrying out their daily routines, so it is quite shocking to see the scene as it stands right now,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said.
One witness said he saw the Penske box truck “jumping” and “twisting” before it came to a stop up against a commercial building. He said he tried to help the driver out of the truck’s cab, but he was pinned inside.
The box truck could be seen on its side, wedged near Tora Ramen and Great Wall Kitchen Supplies, and a light pole. Debris was scattered on the ground.
“The technical team, if you see the cab there, they actually had to cut the top of the cab and peel it back to get the driver out,” Deputy Fire Chief Steven Shaffer said.
Several ambulances, fire trucks, and police cruisers were at the scene, and the area was sealed off with police tape.
“We’re aware of the incident and are coordinating with the Boston Police Department,” a spokesperson for FBI Boston said Tuesday.
Shaffer said the structure of the affected building looked alright, but inspectors were expected to visit the site.
“It was a bad accident, and hopefully those two people make it,” Shaffer said.
Penske Transportation Solutions, the company the box truck was rented from, released a statement on the incident.
“We are aware of the incident that occurred in Boston. This is an ongoing situation that we’re monitoring closely. Penske will be cooperating fully with authorities to support their investigation. 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,” said Alen Beljin, a company spokesperson.
No additional information was immediately available.
This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.
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