Two die after crash sends truck plunging into icy waters

ARLINGTON, VA – In a tragic accident on the Arlington Memorial Bridge, a white pickup truck veered off course, collided with another vehicle, and plunged into the icy waters of the Potomac River late Thursday night. This dramatic sequence was captured on dashcam footage, which reveals the moments leading up to the disaster.

Rescue crews worked tirelessly into the early hours, pulling the submerged truck from the river. Inside, they discovered the bodies of two individuals, bringing a somber end to the incident that had closed the bridge to both vehicular and pedestrian traffic since the afternoon.

Witnesses, including Larry McCongo, who was just feet from the collision, described the chaos that unfolded. “It happened so fast,” McCongo recounted. “The pickup hit a car, swerved out of control, and before we knew it, it was in the river.”

The bridge, a vital artery for many commuters, was lined with emergency vehicles as police, firefighters, and divers coordinated efforts to recover the truck. A crane was brought in to hoist the vehicle from the frigid waters. Observers watched in disbelief as fragments from the truck floated to the surface, a chilling reminder of the incident.

Two occupants of the car that was struck suffered minor injuries, with one requiring hospital treatment. McCongo and others rushed to the bridge’s edge, hoping to spot survivors amidst the broken ice. “I was in shock,” McCongo admitted. “We couldn’t see anyone in the water, and it was freezing cold.”

Authorities confirmed the sequence of events leading to the crash and are investigating what caused the pickup to accelerate uncontrollably. The identities of the deceased remain undisclosed as officials notify next of kin.

The U.S. Park Police, leading the investigation, has not yet released further details. The incident raises questions about the bridge’s safety barriers, which, while designed to prevent such accidents, failed to stop the truck’s descent.

As the community grapples with the tragedy, officials promise updates as more information becomes available. The Arlington Memorial Bridge remains a poignant scene of loss, with residents and commuters mourning the lives lost in the icy depths of the Potomac.