Many cities around the United States like to advertise the virtues of taking mass transit. It results in fewer people on the road, reduced emissions that negatively affect the environment, and a reliable alternative for those who are not able to get behind the wheel of a car.
However, a recent accident reminds the population that public transit vehicles can also be subject to unforeseen events, which can lead to heartbreaking outcomes. While presumably either waiting for her ride or having just arrived in Broward, 56-year-old Maria Zevallos was run over by a Broward County transit bus at the depot on June 30, 2022.
Zevallos was crossing the street when one of the bus’s front passenger wheels ran over her foot, which caused her to fall down. While she was on the ground, the same bus’s rear passenger tire hit Zevallos while the bus was slowing down in an attempt to make a turn. Fort Lauderdale rescue crews pronounced the woman dead at the scene.
The fatal accident took place at 6:47 a.m. at the depot on 101 NW First Avenue. The bus was being driven by 51-year-old Ann Marie Baker-Kennerly. Details about Baker-Kennerly’s driving history or qualifications are not known to the public. Based on initial findings from the investigation, it does not appear as if there was a mechanical breakdown which caused the vehicle to operate in an unanticipated manner.
In a frenetic mass transit setting, where vehicle operators are on a tight schedule and travelers are rushing to catch their respective modes of transportation, taking an additional second to review your surroundings makes all the difference.
Whether the situation involves public transportation or private vehicles, Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath stand ready to help in case of an accident. Accomplished professionals are only a phone call away, and can be reached at (561) 655-1990.
