Two Pedestrians Struck by Car at Maryland Bus Stop

Over the weekend, two people who were waiting at a “Ride On” bus stop in Kensington, Montgomery County, Maryland, were struck by a Toyota Prius that drove directly into the bus stop. The accident occurred Saturday morning on Connecticut Avenue near Howard Avenue. A witness at a nearby gas station said he saw three people at the bus stop, and two of them managed to get out of harm’s way, but the third pedestrian was hit and pinned under the car. That person who was stuck under the car was an 18-year-old woman who firefighters were able to rescue. Witnesses described the whole scene as “pretty graphic.” The 18-year-old woman suffered two broken legs, and doctors say she is expected to survive. The other pedestrian that was struck refused treatment at the scene.

The driver of the Prius was a 61-year-old man from Silver Spring. Police originally thought this accident was the result of a DUI, but later determined that was not the case. Instead, officials believe some medical emergency, such as a seizure, likely caused the crash. The driver was taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police officers have since said that the driver will be ticketed for the crash.

Sadly, this is the second accident in Montgomery County in a two-week period involving pedestrians being hit by cars at a bus stop. On February 18, “an out-of-control car” struck and killed Vanessa Dixon in Silver Spring as she was waiting at the Montgomery County “Ride On” bus stop. The driver in this accident, a 22-year-old man, was arrested for suspicion of DUI.

Although the accident this past weekend was not alcohol-related, the fact that two accidents have occurred at bus stops in Montgomery County in a two-week period raises concerns about pedestrian safety. Bus stops are set up very close to the road without any protection for pedestrians waiting for buses if a car does drive off the road and onto the sidewalk. New safety procedures might need to be considered in order to better protect pedestrians waiting at bus stops.

If you or a family member have been injured or killed in an accident at a bus stop or similar situation and would like to consult an experienced personal injury attorney for free, contact our office at (410) 995-1515 or visit us online.