Police identify man struck and killed by SEPTA bus that jumped curb

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA (WTXF) - A family was just trying to beat summer the heat in a kiddie pool when a SEPTA bus came barreling into their front yard in Northeast Philadelphia. One man was killed and several others were injured.

It happened at Morrell and Frankford Avenues Thursday around 6:30 p.m.

The SEPTA bus plowed through a red light, two cars, a fence and several wood poles. The bus ran straight into the small pool where police say 52-year-old James Robert Derbyshire was escaping from the heat. Police say he was killed. His 28-year-old son was hit as he tried to jump out of the way. A 20-year-old woman was also struck and pinned against the house. Both survived.

The mangled fence and pool still entwined sitting in the front yard. The massive hole ripped into the side of the home boarded up. On Friday, tire tracks were still visible in the lawn.

Police are investigating why the 49-year-old SEPTA driver ran the red light at a busy T-intersection. Witnesses say the some of the 15 passengers at the scene describe the driver as slumped over with his head down seconds before the crash.

SEPTA released a statement, reading in part:

"We extend our condolences to the families that have been affected. We continue to cooperate fully with the Philadelphia Police AID, who is leading the investigation, as we try to determine the exact sequence of events that led to this unfortunate tragedy."