A flatbed tow truck struck and killed a woman near Watertown Square on Wednesday morning, according to authorities, and then a man allegedly stabbed the driver five times.

The alleged stabber, who is believed to be related to the deceased woman, was taken into custody at the scene, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan told reporters Wednesday afternoon. The truck driver was taken to a Boston hospital where he was in critical condition, she said.

Ryan said police responded to Watertown Street (Route 16) near its intersection with Galen Street and Nonantum Road around 11:20 a.m. for a report of a “road rage episode” in progress.


Responding officers found that a woman in her late 60s had been hit by a truck. She was pronounced dead at the scene, Ryan said.

“[When the woman was hit], a younger man — believed to be related to the victim — became engaged in an altercation with the driver of the tow truck,” she told reporters. “The driver of the tow truck was stabbed approximately five times in the torso.”

The alleged stabber was also taken to a hospital, according to Ryan, who did not disclose why he was hospitalized. No names have been released.

“As you can see this is a very active scene,” Ryan said. “We’re going to be here for a number of hours. Obviously it’s going to impact traffic in this area.”

On Twitter, police asked motorists and pedestrians to use alternatives to Watertown Street following the incident. The crime scene is near the busy MBTA Watertown Yard bus station.

The WPD is investigating an incident in the area of Galen St., and Watertown St. We are asking for pedestrians as well as vehicles to find another travel route, and stay away from the area. Thank you, please share. — Watertown Police (@WatertownPD) September 19, 2018

“This is a very busy intersection come rush hour,” Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn said. “We just ask the public to help us out and try to stay away from this general area.”

The Middlesex District Attorney’s office, Watertown police, and state police are investigating the incident.