A 71-year-old woman was struck by an MBTA bus in Chelsea, Massachusetts, on Thursday morning, authorities reported. The incident, captured by surveillance video, occurred around 8:45 a.m. at the intersection of Cross Street and Broadway—a notoriously busy junction. The driver involved in the crash has been relieved of duty while an MBTA investigation takes place, according to official statements. The woman, although hit, was conscious and alert with pain in her neck, back, and leg, and has been taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, said Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan in an interview by Boston.com.
In footage obtained by CBS Boston, the woman is seen crossing the street slowly and wandering out of the crosswalk just before the bus, traversing through a flashing yellow light at the intersection, hits her from behind. Witnesses and passengers on the bus quickly came to the woman's assistance as the vehicle backed up slightly after the collision. Despite the accident, Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan clarified "at no times was the pedestrian under the bus."
Residents have expressed their concerns about the hazardous nature of the Cross Street and Broadway intersection. "It's like Times Square," one man told CBS Boston, pointing to the absence of stop signs or lights at the four-way crossroads. The area only features flashing red lights in one direction and flashing yellow in another, contributing to the confusing and dangerous traffic conditions.
The shocking event has prompted area locals to question the attentiveness of the bus driver. "I don’t understand what he was paying attention to – unreal," Katie Ippolito, who was nearby at the time of the crash, commented to 7NEWS. Similarly, Arthur Middleton expressed his disbelief to 7NEWS, saying, "I just can’t believe the bus driver didn’t see them – it’s broad daylight, too. It’s crazy." The MBTA has extended wishes for a speedy recovery and assured that their investigation into the incidents, including another recent issue involving a Green Line train door closing on a woman, are ongoing and taken with utmost seriousness.
