What should have been a joyous family occasion turned to tragedy when a 52-year-old man was hit and killed by an out-of-control public bus in North Philadelphia recently.
The man was visiting with family for his son’s wedding. Due to the recent heat wave in Pennsylvania, the man, his son and a woman were cooling off in an inflatable wading pool in front of the younger man’s home on Frankford Avenue when the crash occurred.
Authorities said a SEPTA bus carrying about 15 people went through the red light at the intersection of Frankford and Morell avenues and struck two cars. The bus then ran over the curb, went through the fence and shrubs and slammed into the house.
The victim, who lived in nearby East Torresdale, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
The two other people in the pool were a woman, 20, and a man, 28 . Both were treated at Jefferson Aria Hospital. The drivers of the other two cars and the bus driver, 49, were transported to the same hospital.
The home also sustained significant damage.
SEPTA did not give any information about the driver’s record. The agency’s buses were involved in 214 crashes last year. Those crashes resulted in three deaths, according to The Inquirer, citing federal statistics.
No charges have been filed, pending investigation.
There were 14 crashes at the intersection of Morrell and Frankford from 2011 to 2017, according to The Inquirer. This was the first that was fatal.
This young man is beginning his married life without the confidence, advice and friendship of his father. Nothing will bring him back, but those who caused the accident should have to take responsibility for his death.
