2 killed after multi-vehicle crash sends car off ramp near Fort Duquesne Bridge in Pittsburgh

Two people are dead after five vehicles were involved in a crash near the Fort Duquesne Bridge in Pittsburgh, sending one of the cars down onto the road below on Wednesday afternoon. Authorities are urging people to avoid the area ahead of rush hour. 

PennDOT said the crash, which happened around 3 p.m., has closed southbound Route 65 at the ramp to the Fort Duquesne Bridge. Drivers can use the left-hand lane to northbound Route 28/north I-279, but PennDOT is urging drivers to use other routes. 

One of the cars involved in the crash flipped off the bridge and landed on Reedsdale Street on the North Side near Acrisure Stadium, killing the driver, authorities said. Another person was taken to the hospital in critical condition after being extricated with the "jaws of life," but she later died, Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson Cara Cruz said. No one else was injured.

Authorities didn't say what led up to the crash, but Pittsburgh Police Chief Jason Lando said speed could have been involved. 

"We're very early in the investigation, so I don't want to speculate, but we all know it takes a pretty significant amount of speed and force to flip over a bridge deck," Lando said. "I drive this route home every day, people are constantly flying by me on my way home, so please, just slow down. We want people to get home safely."

Crash snarls traffic ahead of rush hour

Lando said the crash is a "pretty complex scene" that's causing "significant backups." The ramp from Route 65 into the city is expected to be closed for hours while authorities investigate and clean up. 

Cruz said the collision investigation unit will try to recreate the crash and learn more.

"Really a tragic scene here today at rush hour, probably lots of witnesses having to see this heartbreaking scene," Cruz said.