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A reported wrong-way driver is being blamed for a chain-reaction accident that left at least two people injured and five vehicles damaged in Philadelphia yesterday. The motor vehicle accident occurred on South Street in Center City around 5:15 p.m. when a car reportedly was traveling down Grays Ferry Avenue the wrong way and then turned onto South Street.
The driver apparently then ran into a car that ended up running into three other cars. There is some speculation that the accelerator on the wrong-way vehicle may have been stuck. Officials said the vehicle narrowly missed pedestrians, gas lines and several other vehicles as it sped down the road out of control.
In all five vehicles were damaged, including a food truck. The owner of the food truck said it provided a barrier for a family of four that was walking by. If the truck had not been parked there, the family could have been struck, the owner said. He added that it is a miracle that no one was killed as the area is highly populated.
At this point, it doesn’t appear that the driver of the wrong-way vehicle will face criminal charges. However, there will likely be an lengthy investigation to determine what went wrong and who was at fault. Several insurance comapnies will likely get involved, and personal injury lawsuits are possible.
If the accident was indeed caused by a stuck accelorator, it is possible that the manufacturer of the car could be named in a product liability lawsuit. Auto manufacturers have a duty to make sure that their vehicles are free of defects and safe for travel. When this duty is breached, they may face liability.
Source: NBC Philadelphia, “Wrong-Way Driver Causes Chain Reaction Crash,” Danielle Johnson, Aug. 12, 2013