BOSTON, July 11 — Four concrete slabs, each weighing at least three tons, fell from the ceiling of a Big Dig tunnel here on Monday night, crushing a woman to death in a car.

The accident set off recriminations from top elected officials who sought the firing of the head of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and started a criminal investigation.

It was the first time in the long history of the project that someone riding in a tunnel was killed by what seems to be a construction failure, the state police said.

The accident, which led to the closing of the tunnel highway that connects the city and Logan International Airport, follows leaks, cost overruns and other problems that have raised questions about the $14.6 billion Big Dig, the central highway system through Boston. Until now, officials have said the problems did not threaten motorists’ safety.