PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — An off-duty SEPTA employee has been charged with driving under the influence and related offenses involving the early-morning trolley crash in Southwest Philadelphia on Sunday, which left four people wounded, including the trolley operator.
Authorities say 31-year-old Brianna Satchell-Thomas was intoxicated, ran a red light, and crashed into a SEPTA trolley, which was traveling south on Chester Avenue, near South 52nd Street, around 6:30 Sunday morning.
Satchell-Thomas and at least one other person jumped out of the white Mercedes and took off running, police said. The car was allegedly registered to Satchell-Thomas.
Three passengers and the trolley operator were hurt. They were treated for minor injuries.
Investigators say Satchell-Thomas returned to the scene to get some things out of the car — that’s when police arrested her.
Satchell-Thomas has worked as a SEPTA maintenance custodian for the last 3 ½ years.
She is now charged with aggravated assault while DUI, reckless driving, and failure to stop at a red light.
A SEPTA spokesperson noted Satchell-Thomas was not driving to or from work.
Sunday’s crash is at least the sixth incident involving the transit agency in the last two weeks.
A previous version of this story incorrectly stated one of the charges Satchell-Thomas is facing. The current story reflects that change.
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Editor’s update, July 3, 2024
In March 2024, the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office withdrew all charges against Brianna Satchell-Thomas. In a statement to KYW Newsradio, a spokesperson said, “The Commonwealth was forced to withdraw this matter after necessary civilian witnesses failed to appear in court for three consecutive hearings.”