A stolen vehicle was the cause of a frightening multi-vehicle crash involving an MTA bus in Brooklyn on Thursday, August 13, 2020. It all happened at approximately 6:00 p.m. at the intersection of East 87th Street and Avenue M in Canarsie, when a stolen car sped through a stop sign, slamming into a B103 bus. This caused the bus to crash into another SUV, wedging it between a tree. Over a dozen people were injured in the three-vehicle crash, including the driver of the vehicle that the MTA bus slammed into, two teens in the stolen car, nine passengers on the bus, and the driver of the bus, according to the MTA. All were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries.
According to the NYPD, approximately 10 minutes before the accident occurred, a Tan Toyota Highlander with three men inside was speeding on East 86th Street near Glenwood Road. Officers attempted to pull over the vehicle but were unsuccessful. A mile away the same SUV blew through a stop sign, causing the chain-reaction crash. The three men inside the stolen SUV were placed in custody. The 17-year-old driver behind the wheel was charged with car theft, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal possession of drugs, and reckless endangerment.
We hope everyone involved in this accident makes a speedy recovery. This was a serious accident caused by a driver’s severe negligence, and it is fortunate everyone involved is only reported to have minor injuries.
Bus accidents are not uncommon in New York City. In fact, New York has one of the highest bus accident rates in the nation. Although there are bus driver training programs and other safety precautions in place to try and prevent accidents, there is still always a chance that outside factors–such as a reckless driver–or the negligent driving of an MTA driver will increase the risk of an accident.
Reckless driving is a serious offense that jeopardizes the safety of all motorists and pedestrians. A driver charged with reckless driving can serve jail time from 30 to 180 days, depending on the offense. They can face fines and charges, as well as license suspension.
Some examples of reckless driving include:
- Speeding
- Failure to use signals
- Running through stop signs and red lights
- Improper passing
- Texting while driving
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
The personal injury attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy have a proven track record of fighting on behalf of victims injured in car crashes, bus collisions, and other auto accidents. Some of our results include:
- $14,000,000 settlement for motorcyclist who suffered a leg amputation after a truck struck him while attempting to make a left turn
- $6,000,000 settlement for bus passenger injured on a city bus after the bus collided with another vehicle at an intersection
- $3,500,000 settlement for bus driver who sustained head, neck, back, and shoulder injuries after being rear ended by a sanitation truck
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a reckless driving accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Call us at 212-736-5300 to schedule a FREE consultation or contact us online.