If you were stuck in that soul-crushing gridlock on I-93 South today, you aren't alone. It was a mess. Pure and simple. Around 3:30 p.m. yesterday, just as the evening commute started to ramp up, a multi-vehicle wreck near Exit 15 turned the southbound side of the highway into a parking lot.
Honestly, the information coming out at first was pretty confusing. Massachusetts State Police initially reported that one person had died in the crash. That's a heavy thing to hear when you're just trying to get home. However, they later issued a correction. It turns out that while one person was seriously injured, they are currently alive, and several others involved are being treated for various injuries.
The Chaos Near Exit 15
The crash itself happened right in the thick of it. Near the Columbia Road exit, the left two lanes were completely shut down. If you know that stretch of road, you know how quickly things fall apart when even one lane is blocked. Two? That’s a recipe for a commute that feels like it’ll never end.
Firefighters and EMS crews from Boston were on the scene fast. There’s something visceral about seeing the flashing blue and red lights against the backdrop of the city skyline during rush hour. It makes you realize how quickly a normal Thursday can turn sideways. State Police were urging everyone to find an alternate route, but we all know that once you're in the "chute" of I-93, there aren't many places to go.
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Why the Confusion Over the Fatality?
It’s rare for police to retract a fatality report, but it happens in high-stress, "active situations." When emergency responders are triaging multiple victims on a live highway, the scene is chaotic. Information flows fast. Sometimes too fast. While the initial report was grim, the update that the victim is still fighting is a small bit of hope in a bad situation.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. We don't know yet if it was a distracted driver, a sudden lane change, or just the typical Boston "bang-up" that happened to have high-speed consequences. Investigators were seen mapping the scene late into the evening, which is why those lanes stayed closed for so long.
Other Recent 93 South Headaches
It’s been a rough week for local drivers. Just this morning, over in Allston, a truck actually went off an overpass. That wasn’t on 93, but the ripple effect on Boston traffic is real. People see a wreck, they slow down to look, and suddenly the "rubbernecking" delay is longer than the actual accident delay.
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- Thursday afternoon: The multi-car wreck at Exit 15.
- Wednesday morning: A trash truck rollover near I-495 and 93 in Andover.
- Today (Friday): General "Friday traffic" amplified by residual nerves from the week's accidents.
Driving in Massachusetts is basically a sport. But when you see a vehicle mangled enough to require two lanes of closure for hours, it’s a reminder to maybe put the phone down and give the guy in front of you an extra car length.
Practical Steps for Your Commute
If you have to travel I-93 South today or in the coming days, you’ve gotta be proactive. Don't just trust your gut; the roads are changing too fast.
Check the Real-Time Maps
Seriously, open Waze or Google Maps before you even leave your driveway. If you see a sea of deep red near Dorchester or the Leverett Circle, consider taking the MBTA if you can. The Red Line has its own issues, sure, but it won’t get stuck behind a fender-bender at Exit 15.
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Watch the Weather
The forecast for this weekend is calling for snow. We all know what happens when the first few flakes hit the pavement in Boston—everyone forgets how to drive. If the roads are already sensitive from accidents this week, a little slush is going to make Monday morning a nightmare.
Avoid the "Choke Points"
If you can bypass the city via Route 128 or even the Pike, do it. The stretch of 93 that cuts through the heart of Boston is the most prone to these multi-car piles. It’s narrow, it’s fast, and the merges are aggressive.
State Police are still asking for any witnesses of the Exit 15 crash to come forward. If you were there or have dashcam footage, reaching out to the Milton barracks could actually help the families involved get some answers. For now, the best we can do is stay alert and keep moving.