Car crashes into SEPTA trolley in Southwest Philadelphia
Investigators on scene believe the crash happened after a car ran a red light, crashing into the middle of the trolley and knocking it off the tracks.
1 year ago
A car collided with a SEPTA trolley in Southwest Philadelphia. (6abc)
This story originally appeared on 6abc.
A SEPTA employee has been charged with DUI after she crashed her personal car into a SEPTA trolley over the weekend in Southwest Philadelphia, the district attorney’s office said.
Four people were injured in the crash, including the trolley operator.
Brianna Satchell-Thomas, 31, is charged with aggravated assault while DUI, reckless driving, making a false report to law enforcement and other offenses.
The crash happened around 6:25 a.m. Sunday on the 1300 block of South 52nd Street.
SEPTA officials tell Action News the driver of the car crashed into the trolley after running a red light, knocking the trolley off the tracks.
According to the Philadelphia district attorney’s office, police arrived on the scene to find a white Mercedes with major damage.
Witnesses told police the occupants of the Mercedes fled the scene.
However, the D.A.’s office says Satchell-Thomas later returned. She was allegedly trying to recover belongings from the Mercedes, which investigators say was registered to her.
She was then placed under arrest.
“Defendant Satchell-Thomas is alleged to have driven while under the influence and in such a reckless manner to have caused the crash involving the trolley, which was carrying passengers at the time,” the D.A.’s office said in a news release.
The D.A.’s office said that since the crash involves a SEPTA employee and a SEPTA vehicle, the case will be prosecuted by its Special Investigations Unit.
According to the D.A.’s website, the unit is a “team of prosecutors, investigators and support staff pursue active prosecutions against government officials, public servants and members of law enforcement who are accused of misconduct.”
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