The death of Michael Spooner after being hit by a SEPTA bus has reignited concerns about blind spots on these vehicles. Retired SEPTA driver Joe Wilson claims the large rearview mirror creates a dangerous blind spot, leading to numerous near-misses and fatalities.
The tragic death of Michael Spooner, 35, after being struck by a SEPTA bus while crossing Washington Avenue with his wife Kayla, has sparked renewed calls for safety improvements. On Friday, January 3rd, Michael and Kayla were on their way to a movie when the accident occurred. Lt. Brown of the Philadelphia Police Department Crash Investigation Division stated that the couple was nearly at the sidewalk when the westbound SEPTA bus, making a turn off of Front St., struck them.
Despite life-saving efforts by a Philadelphia Police officer, Michael died at the scene. Kayla was transported to Temple University Hospital and listed as stable. The bus driver remained at the scene, and both the Philadelphia Police and SEPTA have launched investigations.The driver reportedly claimed he did not see the Spooner couple, leaving their family seeking answers about the incident. Retired SEPTA bus driver Joe Wilson, who drove for 40 years, voiced his anger and sadness, calling this a preventable tragedy. He pointed to the large rearview mirror on SEPTA buses as a significant contributing factor. Wilson believes the mirror's position creates a substantial blind spot, leading to numerous near-misses and, in this case, a fatal accident. He contends that drivers shouldn't have to contort themselves to see pedestrians in these blind spots.This tragedy echoes a similar incident in 2014, where 29-year-old Sheena White was killed by a SEPTA bus while crossing the street with her 8-year-old son. Her family alleged she was in the driver's blind spot. Wilson emphasized that countless lives have been lost and injured due to this recurring problem. He urged for immediate action to address the issue of the large mirror and its dangerous blind spot. A community meeting focused on pedestrian traffic safety was held Tuesday night near the site of Michael Spooner's death. FOX 29 has reached out to SEPTA for comment regarding the mirror's blind spot, and they are working to provide a response.
SEPTA Bus Accident Blind Spot Pedestrian Safety Philadelphia
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