MEDFORD, Mass. — Commuters attempting to make their way into Boston faced lengthy delays on Interstate 93 in Medford on Tuesday morning as a death investigation unfolded along the side of the highway, officials said.
The right travel lines were closed on the southbound side of the highway near Somerville at Exit 21 for hours during the morning rush while detectives searched for clues in connection with the discovery of a body that was found around 4:30 a.m., according to Massachusetts State Police.
Findings from the investigation indicated that a man “intentionally jumped from the overpass onto I-93 below, where he was struck by at least one and likely more than one vehicle,” a state police spokesman said.
Video showed heavy traffic leading up to the scene, where many state police cruisers and road crews were working. During the height morning drive, there were delays of more than two hours with a 10-mile backup.
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MassDOT deployed regional roadside message boards, including near the border of New Hampshire, to alert drivers to the lane closures.
All lanes on the southbound side of the highway reopened around 9 a.m., but residual delays in the area of about 30 minutes lingered.
In a statement, state police said, “The facts and circumstances of the death, including the cause and the identity of the victim, remain under investigation.”
The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office does tell Boston 25 they do not suspect foul play.
UPDATE-The scene has been cleared. Investigation is ongoing. #MATraffic https://t.co/rtwUA8TRma
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) June 13, 2023
Scene clear. All lanes open. Expect residual delays. https://t.co/mxMawQwU0t
— Mass. Transportation (@MassDOT) June 13, 2023
Ten mile traffic back-up now I-93 SB toward Boston due to right lane closures approaching Medford/Somerville line; crash investigation still underway near exit 21 for Rt 38/Mystic Ave pic.twitter.com/MGpL11gPfX
— Jacquelyn Goddard (@JacqueGoddard) June 13, 2023
Travel advisory: Lane closures on I-93 SB in #Medford near exit 21 (Roosevelt Circle) due to a crash investigation involving a fatality. The two right lanes are closed. Expect delays.
— Mass. Transportation (@MassDOT) June 13, 2023
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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