A white BMW convertible crashed into the back of a UWM shuttle bus on Hartford Avenue in front of the Golda-Meir library and knocked the driver of the BMW unconscious Sept. 23.

Photo: Adam Kelnhofer

The driver of the BMW told police he was wearing Nike Slide sandals at the time of the accident and that his right sandal was torn, causing his foot to get stuck on the gas pedal which made the vehicle accelerate, according to a UWM Police report.

A witness of the UWM car crash, Serena A. Falk, told police she believed the driver of the BMW was not paying attention when the shuttle bus came to a stop.

Photo: Adam Kelnhofer

When police arrived at the scene, they noted the driver of the BMW was breathing and conscious but confused. The driver told arriving police he felt pain in his lower back, and his legs felt tingly.

The driver of the BMW also told police the last thing he remembered after the accident was the front window shattering in his face and then waking up on the side of the road near the Enderis Hall flower garden on Hartford in front of the Panther Statue.

Photo: Adam Kelnhofer

The force of the impact caused the shuttle bus to lurch forward as the white roadster slowly rolled off the side of the road onto the grass, according to the police report. 

Damages to both vehicles are estimated at over $1,000 per vehicle and one citation was issued to the driver of the BMW. Both drivers involved in the UWM car crash were not seriously injured and the single passenger in the shuttle bus was also uninjured.

Photo: Adam Kelnhofer

In order to ensure the safety of the accident scene and the personnel dealing with it, UWM police closed down both eastbound and westbound traffic along Hartford Avenue between Maryland Avenue and Downer Avenue. Police notified MCTS of the road closure and advised them chose a temporary alternative route for the bus lines.