Politics & Government

No Fatal Consequences in 'Bridgegate' Traffic Jam: Report

While the AP says there were no fatalities related to the days-long lane closures, its report suggests consequences for Gov. Chris Christie.

The “lack of life-or-death consequences” following the closure of two traffic lanes in Fort Lee in September and the ensuing traffic "nightmare" was by virtue of luck and not planning, according to an Associated Press investigation into hours of 911 calls and other evidence.

The news agency’s investigation uncovered reports of “chest pains, traffic collisions, false fire alarms and a dead goose in a parking lot,” but concludes that the results of the lane closures “could have been worse.”

In the report, the AP intimates that its findings, which in no way further connect Gov. Chris Christie with the lane closures, could have an impact on his presidential ambitions.

Find out what's happening in Fort Leewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

First responders on Sept. 9 complained of “[total] gridlock,” and one 911 dispatcher told a caller “we’ll do our best” to get to the home of the man complaining of chest pains, according to the report.

Another caller the same day received emergency care within a minute of placing a 911 call.

Find out what's happening in Fort Leewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Responders were delayed reaching a 91-year-old woman who later died at Englewood Hospital. However, the woman's daughter said the response time did not contribute to her mother's death.

Christie earlier this month said his office would cooperate with a subpoena issued by the U.S. Attorney investigating the lane closures.



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