The Brief The New Jersey-bound upper level of the George Washington Bridge reopened around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday after a nearly six-hour shutdown. Port Authority police responding to a single-car crash found a 46-year-old man shot inside his blue Volkswagen; he died shortly after at Englewood Hospital. The NYPD has taken over the shooting investigation and search for the gunman.



The George Washington Bridge reopened early Wednesday following an hours-long shutdown after a driver was found fatally shot in his vehicle.

The NYPD has taken over the investigation as authorities search for the gunman and work to figure out a motive.

GW Bridge shooting

What we know:

Port Authority police responded to the GW Bridge just after 7 p.m. Tuesday following reports of a single-car crash on the New Jersey-bound upper level.

Officers arrived and found a blue Volkswagen that had crashed into the middle divider. The 46-year-old driver suffered a gunshot wound and was rushed to Englewood Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The man was found unconscious and unresponsive behind the wheel. The rear passenger window was shattered and appeared to have bullet damage.

Major traffic backup

Local perspective:

The massive police response led to highway gridlock that stretched miles from Manhattan into the Bronx.

Westbound traffic remained at a standstill for nearly six hours before the bridge's upper level reopened around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday.

NYPD investigating

What we don't know:

A motive for the shooting remains under investigation, and authorities have not said whether the incident stemmed from road rage or a targeted attack.

It was also unclear if the shooting occurred on the bridge.

No arrests have been made, and police have not released any suspect descriptions.

Police did not immediately release the name of the driver.
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