NYPD clears suspicious truck near bridge

Authorities reopened the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge just after midnight today after it was shut down for about two hours last night when a U-Haul truck was abandoned, officials said.

Traffic was stopped in both directions and the NYPD’s bomb squad responded to the incident a short distance from a toll booth on the Manhattan side of the bridge.

A man was seen fleeing from the truck, according to news reports and a bridge employee at the toll both reported the strong odor of gasoline emanating from the truck. The driver of the truck fled when the bridge employee approached, according to news reports.

The NYPD’s bomb squad X-rayed the truck and drilled a hole in the vehicle, authorities said. Investigators then put a camera inside through the hole and determined that the vehicle was not dangerous, officials said, adding that the driver has not been located.