Investigation Underway After Saudi Arabian National Killed When He Became Pinned by Boston University Shuttle Bus Along Albany Street
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (October 8, 2025) – A 40-year-old man from Saudi Arabia has tragically died in a Boston University shuttle bus accident on Albany Street, near Massachusetts Avenue.
Suffolk County officials are saying that the collision took place around 8:00 a.m. on Monday. The victim became trapped underneath the bus for undetermined reasons.
Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help the victim. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities confirmed that the bus was owned by Boston University’s vendor, Academy Express. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office is still working to identify the victim.
Liability for Boston Shuttle Bus Accidents
Buses are considered common carriers, and their drivers must operate with an abundance of caution to avoid collisions. They must be particularly cautious around pedestrians. Pursuant to Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90, § 14, “Upon approaching a pedestrian who is upon the traveled part of any way and not upon a sidewalk, every person operating a motor vehicle shall slow down.” If a driver fails to slow down to avoid colliding with a pedestrian, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. There are several ways that a bus driver may have acted negligently and contributed to a crash.
- Blind Spots: Shuttle buses have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of pedestrians. A bus driver may have failed to check their blind spots before hitting a pedestrian.
- Speed: A bus driver may have failed to slow down in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic. Even traveling the speed limit can be dangerous given the prevailing road conditions.
- Unsafe Turn: A bus driver may have failed to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian lawfully crossing in a marked crosswalk.
When a shuttle bus driver is negligent and collides with a pedestrian, their employer could be held at fault. This might be a private company, a municipal entity, or even a school. As a general principle, employers in Massachusetts can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their employees who are operating within the course and scope of their job duties. In particular, a shuttle bus may have been transporting people when it was involved in a crash.
Steps That Bus Carriers Should Take to Prevent Collisions
Many people are killed or seriously injured every year in accidents involving buses. According to The Journalist’s Resource, “on average, about 63,000 buses [of all kinds] are involved in an accident each year; about 14,000 result in an injured person, and 325 result in a fatal injury. About 50 passengers (including the driver) are killed, on average, in a given year.” There are many steps that bus carriers should take to prevent collisions.
- Driver Training: Driving the bus is substantially more complicated and difficult than driving a passenger vehicle. Bus companies should ensure that all of their drivers are thoroughly trained to perform safe maneuvers, particularly around pedestrians.
- Vehicle Maintenance: All parts of the bus should be periodically inspected and maintained. Any defect with the brakes, steering, tires, or mirrors could easily lead to a crash.
- Technology: Bus companies should strongly consider adopting technological features. Forward collision avoidance systems and blind spot awareness can help protect pedestrians and everyone else on the road.
The vast majority of bus accidents are preventable. They tend to involve situations where bus drivers are not properly scanning the road around them. However, bus companies and their insurance providers will often do everything in their power to deny responsibility if they hit a pedestrian. This is why it is so important that evidence is properly preserved after any collision. The family of any person who is killed in a bus accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 229, §§ 2–2A.
Investigating Boston University Shuttle Bus Accidents
We at DiBella Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of the man killed in this Boston University shuttle bus accident. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong. There are many questions that still need to be answered. Did the bus driver check their blind spots? What is the safety record of the bus company involved?
Do you need more information about a Boston University shuttle bus accident? Our team of bus accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into any accident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (617) 870-0907.