A motorcyclist was killed Thursday morning in a collision with a tractor-trailer on the George Washington Bridge, forcing major lane closures and causing severe traffic congestion in Fort Lee and surrounding areas.
The crash occurred at approximately 5:19 a.m. on October 22, 2026, on the eastbound upper-level Trans-Manhattan Expressway, according to Port Authority police.
Emergency crews from the Port Authority and New York City Fire Department responded to the scene.
The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. The tractor-trailer driver was not injured.
Major Traffic Disruptions in Fort Lee
Authorities temporarily closed the upper-level lanes heading into New York City, causing miles of traffic backups.
Fort Lee police urged motorists to avoid the George Washington Bridge area and allow additional travel time. Officers were deployed throughout the borough to help manage traffic congestion.
By Thursday morning, one left lane had reopened, although significant delays continued.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Second Deadly Incident on the Bridge This Week
Thursday’s fatal collision comes just two days after a Con Edison employee was shot and killed while driving across the George Washington Bridge on Tuesday evening.
That shooting also resulted in extensive traffic closures and a major police investigation.
The two incidents are separate, but both have significantly disrupted one of the busiest transportation crossings between New Jersey and New York.
Sources: News 12 New Jersey, Port Authority Police, October 22, 2026.
By NJ RADAR Team