A pedestrian bridge collapsed onto Interstate 295 in northeast Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, injuring at least five people, blocking traffic and causing a leakage of diesel fuel, authorities said.
Five people sustained non life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital, Christopher Geldart, acting deputy mayor for public safety and justice, said during a news conference. Two others were also evaluated for injuries but not hospitalized, DC Fire and EMS tweeted.
The collapse brought traffic to a standstill, the Metropolitan Area Transportation Operations Coordination tweeted. Northbound delays stretched for approximately three miles and southbound delays for about 1.5 miles. Interstate 295 will remain closed in both directions until 10 p.m. Thursday, DC Homeland Security & Emergency Management tweeted.
About 25 gallons of diesel fuel spilled over into nearby drains after a truck carrying 500 gallons of fuel became partially trapped under the bridge and began leaking, NBC4 Washington reported. A hazmat unit was deployed to mitigate the fuel leak, DC Fire and EMS tweeted.
Geldart said the cause of the collapse is under investigation, but a vehicle did collide with the bridge, separating it from its moorings, USA Today reported.
