MEDFORD, Mass. – Boston-bound commuters are facing long delays on Interstate 93 near the Medford-Somerville line Tuesday morning amid a death investigation, officials said.
The right travel lanes are closed on the southbound side of the freeway at Exit 21 at Route 38/Mystic Avenue as investigators search for leads in connection with the discovery of a body found on the road around 4:30 a.m. Massachusetts time. State Police.
BREAKING: @MassStatePolice calling this a “death investigation”. They say a body was found on I-93 South just past exit 21 in Medford around 4:30 am.
🚨Traffic is basically at a standstill in this area; find an alternate route if you can!🚨@boston25 pic.twitter.com/D7VgTUzkHV
— Julianne Lima (@JulianneLimaTV) June 13, 2023
“Drivers traveling southbound in Boston should anticipate significant impacts and delays during the morning commute, consider traveling at a different time or route, or consider using public transit options, such as the MBTA Orange Line or MBTA Commuter Rail for Boston trips,” MassDOT. he said in a statement.
The video showed heavy traffic leading to the scene, where many state police cruisers and highway crews were working. Boston 25’s Catherine Parrotta reported delays of nearly two hours earlier in the area.
MassDOT has deployed regional message boards on highways, including near the New Hampshire border, to alert drivers of lane closures.
MassDOT spokeswoman Jacquelyn Goddard reported a 10-mile backup to the scene.
It is not clear when the freeway will be fully reopened to traffic.
In a statement, state police said “the facts and circumstances of the death, including the cause and identity of the victim, remain under investigation.”
State police detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office are leading the investigation.
Ten miles of backup traffic now I-93 SB toward Boston due to right lane closures approaching the Medford/Somerville line; The crash remains under investigation near exit 21 of Rt 38/Mystic Ave pic.twitter.com/MGpL11gPfX
— Jacquelyn Goddard (@JacqueGoddard) June 13, 2023
Ongoing police investigation on I-93 south in Medford that has caused lane closures and delays on the approach to exit 21 (Rt38/Mystic Ave). Motorists should expect significant delays. #MATraffic
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) June 13, 2023
Travel Advisory: Lane Closures on I-93 SB a #Medford near Exit 21 (Roosevelt Circle) due to a fatal crash investigation. The two lanes on the right are closed. Expect delays.
— Mass Transit (@MassDOT) June 13, 2023
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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