Family seeks answers after man fatally hit by SEPTA bus in South Philly: 'He did nothing wrong'

Michael and Kayla Spooner thought they had their entire lives ahead of them until Michael was tragically hit and killed by a SEPTA bus. Kayla was injured but survived.

Michael's family and loved ones gathered Monday to remember him with a service in Northeast Philadelphia. They are in mourning and searching for answers as to how this happened. 

FOX 29’s Steve Keeley spoke with the family's attorney.

Alexander Perry was one of 35-year-old Michael Spooner's closest friends, among many others, who came together tonight to support Michael's wife and family, who traveled to Philadelphia from England to say goodbye and celebrate Michael's life. 

The gathering comes ten days after Michael was hit and killed by a SEPTA bus at Front Street and Washington Avenue as he and his wife Kayla were walking across the street.

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Husband, wife hit by SEPTA bus, killing 1 in South Philadelphia: officials

Tragedy on a South Philadelphia street as a husband and wife were hit by a SEPTA bus, killing one of them.

"He did nothing wrong, and a SEPTA bus ran him over and killed him even though he had the right of way," said Jordan Strokovsky, Kayla Spooner's attorney.

Michael and Kayla just wanted to go to the movies. They were walking into the crosswalk and as they were just about to reach the sidewalk, a SEPTA bus forever changed their lives. 

Kayla who was also hit, but survived, had to drag her husband, her soulmate, from under the bus and try to revive him. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

It was just before 7 p.m. when the bus made the same turn tonight at the marked crosswalk with pedestrian traffic lights. The bus turned left, running tight into them. 

The driver allegedly said he didn't see them, and the family needs to know why.

Philadelphia police say the deadly accident is still under investigation. SEPTA buses have both inside and outside surveillance cameras on them. 

A SEPTA spokesperson told FOX 29, "The Systems Safety Investigation of the Incident is still ongoing." 

After a rash of deadly and serious crashes in the summer of 2023, SEPTA retrained all of its drivers, operators, and staff, pulling them off duty for three weeks.

The animal-loving couple made their home only a block from the deadly accident scene, a pet-loving paradise for unwanted pets from shelters. Unwanted and unloved no more.

"One of the stories I know from Michael is that there was a dog from dog yoga available for adoption, and Kayla wanted that dog. Michael said no, we already have six animals, we don't need another dog. After a few days, he said, 'Oh no, that dog was just adopted.' He picked Kayla up from work, and Hammie was in the car waiting for her," said Alexander Perry, Michael Spooner's friend.

Hammie became pet number seven. Tonight, a GoFundMe campaign raised beyond its $30,000 goal. "We've had Michael's family fly in from the United Kingdom. The GoFundMe has raised over $36,000 to help pay some of those expenses and tonight's memorial expenses. Any additional donations will be donated to the rescue shelters. It's going to be a celebration of his life, but again, it's a life cut too short," said a family member.

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