Skip to Content
Streetsblog Massachusetts home
Streetsblog Massachusetts home
Log In
Crashes

Motorists Are Demolishing South Boston

Drivers crashed into two South Boston buildings in crashes on Oct. 16 and Oct. 17, 2020. Photos courtesy of the Boston Fire Dept.

It's been many years since highway bureaucrats have been allowed to bulldoze neighborhoods to pave the way for high-speed car traffic - so some car owners are taking matters into their own hands.

The Boston Fire Department has had to respond to multiple crashes in recent days involving car drivers who are crashing into and causing major structural damage to two three* buildings in South Boston.

The first crash, in the early morning hours of Oct. 16, ruined McGoo's Pizzeria on West Broadway. Crews had to install a temporary load-bearing support column to keep the building from collapsing entirely, and six residents of the building's apartments were displaced:

Then on Saturday, another driver used their vehicle to destroy the foundation of an apartment building at 614 E. 3rd Street, leaving 17 residents homeless:

Neither of the buildings was wearing helmets or bright clothing when the crashes occurred.

*UPDATE: two days after this story initially published, a third driver backed their car onto the sidewalk and caused major damage to the storefront of an insurance office at 659 Broadway:

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog Massachusetts

Photos: Amtrak’s $583 Million Project to Upgrade Its Boston Maintenance Facilities

The expanded maintenance building and associated yard upgrades will support the arrival of a brand-new fleet of Amtrak trains within the next few years.

November 11, 2025

MassDOT and MBTA Are Studying Expanded Ferry Service

Possible new ferry route destinations include other coastal cities and towns like Gloucester, Salem, Chelsea, and Everett.

November 10, 2025

Franklin-Hodge Stepping Down As Boston’s Chief of Streets

Boston Transportation Department Commissioner Nick Gove will take over as Interim Chief of Streets at the end of this month.

November 10, 2025

Editorial: Bike Lane Haters Keep On Losing

As it turns out, a considerable number of informed voters understand that if we actually want less traffic, we need to design streets that favor more efficient modes of transportation.

November 5, 2025
See all posts