Truck collision on George Washington Bridge kills one, causes massive traffic jams

NEW YORK, June 12 (UPI) -- Drivers heading to New York City were advised to avoid the George Washington Bridge early Thursday after a deadly truck collision closed some eastbound lanes.

Two tractor-trailers crashed at around 2:30 a.m. on the upper level of the bridge. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the bridge, said both drivers were heading east towards New York and investigators were unsure what caused the collision.

One driver died in the crash, the New York Fire Department said.

The eastbound side of the upper deck was shut down completely until 6 a.m., when one lane reopened. As rush hour began, the Port Authority said there were two-hour delays at the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, and New Jersey Transit reported buses using the bridge were about 60 minutes behind schedule.

"Avoid the bridge at all costs," a Port Authority spokesman said.