NEW YORK (FOX5NY) – A chain-reaction crash on the Brooklyn Bridge early Wednesday morning resulted in multiple vehicle fires and one fatality.
The incident involved six vehicles and occurred shortly after 7 a.m. Six individuals sustained injuries but are expected to survive, according to the FDNY. The deceased driver was identified as 32-year-old Kristopher Hambas, of Scarsdale, New York.
In the aftermath of the collision, the Brooklyn-bound lane was closed, followed shortly by the closure of the Manhattan-bound lane to facilitate firefighting efforts. The bridge was reopened after approximately one hour.
Daily traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge exceeds 125,000 vehicles, making it a crucial connection between Brooklyn and Manhattan. Commuters on foot and by bike also frequent the bridge. The closure led to significant traffic backups, prompting New York City to issue an emergency alert advising drivers to avoid the area.
An investigation into the crash is ongoing. Authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.