Out-of-Service SEPTA Trolley Crashes into Historic Philadelphia Home; Marks the Fifth Collision in One Week

On Thursday night, an out-of-service SEPTA bus crashed into a historic home at the corner of Island and Woodland Avenues in Southwest Philadelphia. Camera footage showed the slow-rolling trolley going off the tracks and colliding with an SUV before crashing into the Blue Bell Inn, established in 1766. No passengers were on board the trolley; however, a mechanic and two passengers in the SUV suffered injuries. Thursday night’s accident is the fifth of a string of crashes involving a SEPTA vehicle in one week.

Last Friday, two SEPTA buses collided on Roosevelt Boulevard in North Philadelphia, resulting in 19 injuries and the death of a 72-year-old passenger. The next crash occurred on Sunday when a SEPTA bus hit an electrical box in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood, injuring four passengers. A third incident happened in Upper Darby on Monday night when two SEPTA trolleys struck each other and wounded seven passengers. On Tuesday night, Philadelphia police responded to another accident in Center City at 15th and Walnut Streets. A SEPTA bus crashed into a building’s front window, leaving the driver with minor injuries.

SEPTA’s new Chief Safety Officer told reporters they are troubled by the recent increase in incidents and that extra safety training is being implemented.

If you have been injured in a bus accident, contact Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Reading, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.