‘Boston traffic nightmare’ Mass Pike driver was on his way to drop his 90-year-old grandpa at surgery when his Chevy Equinox EV caught fire
Boston’s morning rush turned into a city-wide gridlock Friday after a Chevrolet Equinox EV burst into flames on the Mass Pike near the Prudential Tunnel. The car’s driver, Brian Alba, was headed to drop off his 90-year-old grandfather at Mass Eye and Ear for a scheduled operation.
Instead, they found themselves in the middle of a burning EV and a full-blown traffic fiasco that backed up cars as far as Logan Airport.
Alba said the fire started when his vehicle hit an unexpected piece of debris around 7 a.m.
He couldn’t safely swerve in time. He believes the object punctured the Equinox EV’s battery pack located underneath the vehicle. Within moments, the car caught fire and stalled in the middle of the highway.
His first move was to unbuckle his grandfather. Then, with vehicles flying by and flames building inside, Alba said he had to wait before it was safe to exit.
In that short window, part of his leg got singed by the fire. He said he lost some hair and came out lucky to be otherwise okay, CBS News affiliate WBZ shared.
The Equinox EV, Chevrolet’s newest all-electric compact SUV, launched with much fanfare in 2024 as an affordable alternative to Tesla’s Model Y
But like all EVs, it carries high-voltage lithium-ion batteries. When punctured or damaged, these batteries can go from stable to dangerous in seconds. Fires can reignite even after being put out, and they burn hotter and longer than traditional engine fires.
Alba and his grandfather made it out just before the car exploded. He credited a quick-thinking Massachusetts State Police trooper for keeping the situation from getting worse. The trooper reportedly used a handheld extinguisher to knock back the flames before fire crews arrived.
Boston drivers stuck in crash-related traffic
The fire forced the closure of all westbound lanes on the Mass Pike. That jammed up I-93, the Zakim Bridge, and Storrow Drive, delaying commuters and even Red Line shuttle buses. Some passengers reportedly asked to get off and walk, confused by the unusual morning chaos.
EV fires require a different response than gas-powered car fires
If you’re in one, don’t open the hood, don’t use water, and don’t try to put it out yourself. Move far away and call emergency services. If an EV nearby is burning, distance is your best defense.
Alba called the whole thing a harrowing ordeal. He said he’s grateful both he and his grandfather made it out safely…and very apologetic for the gridlock that followed.
