Collapse in Boston Tunnel Kills Woman

Associated Press
Wednesday, July 12, 2006; Page A06

BOSTON, July 11 -- At least 12 tons of concrete collapsed onto a car driving through a Big Dig tunnel, fatally crushing a woman and prompting renewed scrutiny Tuesday of the costliest highway project in U.S. history.

Massachusetts Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly said he plans to treat the site as a crime scene that could lead to charges of negligent homicide. His office already has begun issuing subpoenas to those involved in the design, manufacturing, testing, construction and oversight of the panels and tunnel.

"What we are looking at is anyone who had anything to do with what happened last night," Reilly said. "No one is going to be spared."

The accident around 11 p.m. Monday was near the entrance to the Ted Williams Tunnel, which runs under Boston Harbor to Logan International Airport.

A steel beam holding up 40-foot concrete ceiling panels gave way, causing at least four panels to fall onto eastbound Interstate 90. The passenger in the crushed sedan, Milena Delvalle, 38, was killed, but her husband, Angel Delvalle, 46, suffered only minor injuries and managed to crawl through a window to safety.

Gov. Mitt Romney said Tuesday he is taking legal action to oust the head of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, Matthew Amorello.

"People should not have to drive through the turnpike tunnels with their fingers crossed," Romney said.

Amorello's aides did not immediately return calls Tuesday to respond to the governor's comments.

"We feel awful about what happened last night," Amorello said. "It's an awful, awful tragedy. . . . This is an awful situation that occurred."

Romney has long been critical of Amorello's management of the Big Dig.

The $14 billion highway project has been criticized for years over construction problems and cost overruns.

You would think that there'd be some noticeable sag or something in the tunnel. I mean, steel beams don't just give way spontaneously. There are always warning signs. Someone is in deep doo-doo.

As long as Dad picks me up @ Logan on August 16th, we're cool.

"We feel awful about what happened last night," Amorello said. "It's an awful, awful tragedy. . . . This is an awful situation that occurred."

A truly awful quote.

i drove that tunnel as recently as last summer. 4th weekend i drove a highway that was washed out by flooding a week later. i visited new orleans less than 3 years before katrina hit. coincidence??

Last time I was in Manhattan was April 11, 2001.

Kinda glad April 11 has not become an instantly recognizable historical date.