Minivan, bus collision highlights dangerous intersection

A minivan’s Saturday evening collision with an MBTA bus injured 14 people at one of Boston’s worst intersections: Gallivan Blvd. and Morton St.

MBTA authorities say the minivan’s driver ran a stop sign at the intersection and are charging her with failure to observe a traffic sign.

But the driver, Adalia Grant, told a television reporter she didn’t cause the crash.

She said she didn’t know what to think when the collision happened and it was “just the worst feeling you could feel.”

Grant’s son, daughter, sister and nephew were riding with her and were treated for injuries. Ten people were injured on the bus.

Police say they’re continuing to investigate the crash.

The incident highlights the perils of the intersection, which is slated to be re-designed using state funds allocated earlier this year.

“One thing is no lives were lost, which is a good thing,” said state Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry (D-Dorchester).

Forry, who is married to Reporter managing editor Bill Forry, said she is working with state Sen. Jack Hart’s office and the state Department of Transportation, which has jurisdiction of the area, to set up a community meeting to talk about a redesign of the intersection.

A 2008 transportation bond bill included $750,000 for the redesign. Community groups such as the Morton Street Board of Commerce have long advocated for improvements to the intersection.

“This is something the community has been talking about for a long time,” Forry said. “Every time you go through it, you’re taking your life into your own hands.”

-REPORTER STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS


Subscribe to the Dorchester Reporter