The aftermath of a tragic incident in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood, where a man was hit and killed by an MBTA bus, continues to unravel as his family prepares a wrongful death lawsuit against the transit agency. NBC Boston reports that 63-year-old Glenn Inghram died a day after being struck while in a crosswalk outside Forest Hills station, now his family represented by Tom Flaws of Altman Nussbaum Shunnarah, who accuses the MBTA of negligence arguing that the bus made an illegal turn, "From what we’ve seen, the turn that the bus made into the crosswalk with a pedestrian in that crosswalk is a violation of Massachusetts law and we need to hold the MBTA responsible for that," Flaws said.
The community has expressed a desire for change, with neighbors and friends sending a letter to local officials, including Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt and Boston Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge. They emphasize the "immense tragedy" and request immediate safety improvements, such as re-timing the walk signal to prevent it from aligning with the green light for buses—an element that may have contributed to Inghram's death. Additionally, they seek the removal of obstructive shrubbery and the installation of new lighting and curb extensions to improve visibility and pedestrian safety. NBC Boston notes the family's position that the bus driver should have yielded to Inghram, a well-known local gardener.
While the MBTA has not released extensive details about the incident, they have stated that they are cooperating with the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office in the ongoing investigation. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has offered her condolences, describing it as an incredible loss and indicated that the city will work closely with the MBTA to assess potential actions moving forward. Her remarks reflect a shared sense of grief within the community affected by this incident, as reported by CBS News.
The family is pursuing both legal action and a broader transformation aimed at improving safety in Jamaica Plain. They hope to see changes that would prevent similar tragedies in their community. Flaws, representing the family, stated, "Glenn Inghram lived a selfless life and nothing would honor his legacy and his life more than seeing these changes be made and prevent a senseless loss of life in the future." Inghram, who dedicated his life to his gardening business and rescue beagles, also donated his organs, according to NBC Boston.
