CHELSEA, Mass. — A pedestrian was killed after being struck by an MBTA bus in Chelsea on Thursday morning, police said. The incident occurred at 5:40 a.m. near the Everett Ave. on-ramp to Route 1 South near the Tobin Bridge.
Police have identified the victim as 60-year-old Mary Ellen Pettiglio of East Boston. Officials say she was with a family member at the time of the crash who was evaluated for injuries.
Preliminary investigation indicates the victims were in the crosswalk when they were hit.
A dented shopping cart lay in the street, just feet away from a parked MBTA bus and the responding law enforcement officials. According to police, the driver of that Route 111 bus has been operating MBTA buses for 12 years.
That driver was unhurt, according to officials, but he was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.
He will be unable to drive a bus until the official investigation is complete and will have to undergo a drug and alcohol test, which police say is standard procedure.
It is unclear if charges will be sought.
Transit Police taped off the area with several police vehicles encircling the section of road where the MBTA bus was subsequently parked.
The on-ramp was closed after the crash occurred, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The Chief of Chelsea Police also noted on Twitter that Everett Ave. has been shut down following the crash, forcing traffic to be diverted.
Officials announced that the area had been reopened to traffic just before 9 a.m.
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Transit Police are investigating the crash along with the Mass. State Police and Chelsea Police. The Suffolk County DA's Office and the MBTA are also looking into the circumstances surrounding the fatal ordeal.