Woman struck by RIPTA bus in Providence

By News Staff

Reporting by: Rebecca Turco, Samantha Lavien

news@abc6.com

Police have identified the woman that was struck and pinned by a RIPTA bus Wednesday afternoon.

31-year-old Bobbie Moore is in critical condition tonight after sustaining severe injuries to her hip and leg.

It took fire crews about 15 minutes to free Moore from under the bus, using special airbags to life the vehicle.

The accident happened in front of the McDonalds on Broad Street around 4:30 p.m.

Police tell ABC6 that the Moore was trying to catch the bus when she was struck and became trapped under a tire. Witnesses say she was knocking on the bus door, trying to get the driver’s attention, before she was hit.

The bus driver has been questioned by police but is not currently facing any charges.

Witnesses say the horrific scene was difficult to watch.

“She knocked on the window trying to tell him to stop, stop—and to hold up! He pulled up anyway and somehow she got caught in the rear tire. He then pulled up on top of her, but didn’t stop—he stopped on top of her, and I don’t know, maybe it was a blessing, because it stopped the bleeding. But he crushed her. She was yelling for help. But how much help can you give a person in that situation?” explained one witness.

A spokesperson for RIPTA says they are cooperating with police throughout the investigation, and released a statement on the incident Wednesday evening:

“The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) is assisting the Providence Police as they investigate an accident in which a pedestrian was injured by a RIPTA bus this afternoon. The accident occurred on Broad Street near the intersection with Elmwood Avenue shortly before 4:30 p.m. The bus, which was traveling outbound on the Route 20 line, had just departed a bus stop when the accident occurred.  In accordance with standard policy, the driver will be placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the police investigation and an internal investigation by RIPTA.  The accident will also be reviewed by RIPTA’s Accident Review Board. Our thoughts and prayers are with the person who was injured and we will be cooperating fully with police,” said RIPTA CEO Ray Studley. 

Today’s accident is just the latest in an unfortunate series of incidents for RIPTA over the course of last year.

Last May, 69-year-old Frank McKnight was crossing Washington Street in Providence when he was hit and killed. He was working as a court security office at the time.

In March of this year, 9-year-old Ani Emdjian was struck and killed while crossing Smith Street.

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