Photo: Boston Fire Department
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Four people are in the hospital, including one in critical condition, after a box truck crashed into a building in Chinatown Tuesday.
Boston Police officers responded to the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Kneeland Street after they got a call at around 12:48 p.m. about a box truck running into the side of a building. Boston Fire said the truck struck multiple poles along the street before becoming wedged between a pole and the building.
Boston EMS said its ambulances took four people to local hospitals including the driver of the truck, while two people were evaluated on the scene. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox said one of the victims is in critical condition while the other three are stable. Fire crews on the scene used extrication tools to remove the driver, who was trapped inside the cab of the truck.
While an investigation is ongoing, authorities believe the incident was a "tragic accident".
"It's important to note at this at this point we don't have any reason to believe that this was an intentional act," Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden said. "This easily could have been a far worse circumstance considering the time of day and how many people tend to be in this area at the time."
Gloria Rodrigues said she was in the area when the truck crashed.
"First when I heard the loud noise, all I [thought] was 'Oh my god what the heck was that?'" she said. "At first I thought it was an explosion like a bomb went off and then I immediately ran and saw what happened...my first thought was 'Is everyone okay?'".
Police are asking people to avoid the area. The stretch of Kneeland Street between Washington and Tyler Streets is closed to traffic. Commissioner Cox said crews are working to get the roads back opening as soon as possible.
Mayor Michelle Wu said trauma support is available for any witnesses or people impacted by the crash.
WBZ's Mike Macklin reports.