Family of man killed by bus in Boston plans to sue MBTA
BOSTON – The family of a man hit and killed by a bus in Boston last weekend plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the MBTA, saying they hope his death prompts safety changes.
Glenn Inghram death
Glenn Inghram, 63, was a local gardener and well-known in Jamaica Plain.
He was in the crosswalk outside the Forest Hills T stop just before noon on Saturday when he was struck by an MBTA bus that was turning left. He later died from severe head injuries.
No charges have been filed in Inghram's death.
Calls for change at Forest Hills MBTA station
Inghram's family said it is the responsibility of the driver to yield to pedestrians in that crosswalk.
His brother and niece who came to Boston from Denver spoke of a man they described as a free spirit and gardener who rescued beagles. They said he was just crossing the road to get a sandwich.
They hope his death will be a force for safety changes in the neighborhood.
"He's been a great friend, a great brother. I miss him dearly," Ken Inghram, the victim's brother, said at a press conference Thursday. "I just don't want this death to be for naught. Sometimes I feel it takes a death to effect change in this society."
More than 600 people who live in the area have signed a petition seeking changes. They want to see a dedicated pedestrian light in the crosswalk, curb extensions, temporary flex posts, and landscaping changes in the area to make visibility better for the bus drivers.
"Unfortunately, the infrastructure here is not appropriate to support the amount of traffic that we have," said Jamaica Plain Jennifer Licht.
"Traffic here is wild, our of control, people blow through reds, people take rights without looking, they go through pedestrian walkways," said Jamaica Plain resident Benjamin Siegel.
An MBTA spokesperson released a statement on Thursday.
"The MBTA is cooperating with the District Attorney's active investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident," the MBTA said. "Following safety-related incidents, it is standard procedure for bus/train operators to be removed from service while the investigative process advances. We send our condolences to the Inghram family during this time."