A Fatal Evening in 1899
On September 13, 1899, Henry Hale Bliss, a 69-year-old real estate man in New York, was struck by a taxicab while stepping off a trolley. Bliss was seriously injured, and the New York Times reported he could not survive. He died the following day, becoming the first known American to be fatally struck by an automobile.
The Incident
Bliss was helping a fellow passenger when the electric cab hit him. His injuries were severe, with the wheels crushing his skull and chest. The cab driver, Arthur Smith, was arrested and charged with manslaughter.
The Dawn of Urban Traffic Danger
Though cars were still new, urban fatalities were rising fast. Just a decade later, more than 100 pedestrians were killed by automobiles in New York City, doubling to 221 by 1912. The streets, once spaces shared freely by pedestrians, trams, and horses, became increasingly hazardous as cars took over.
The First American Killed by an Automobile 🚗
A Fatal Evening in 1899
On September 13, 1899, Henry Hale Bliss, a 69-year-old real estate man in New York, was struck by a taxicab while stepping off a trolley. Bliss was seriously injured, and the New York Times reported he could… pic.twitter.com/CqWO7q6rNt— Detective Tiger’s Stories (@TigerDetective) October 2, 2024