78-year-old homeless man dies after being struck by MTA Mobility bus

A 78-year-old homeless man died after being run over by an MTA Mobility bus while lying on top of manhole covers in downtown Baltimore on Thursday night.

Officers were sent to the 100 block of E. Saratoga St. around 11:10 p.m. for a person struck by a vehicle, police said. The man was taken to the Shock Trauma Center, where he later died from his injuries.

Investigators from the CRASH Team reviewed video and discovered that the man, who police said is homeless, was lying on top of two manhole covers in the street and covered with “visible fogs of steam.” The video also showed a white MTA Mobility bus striking the man, police said.

The bus driver told police they were not aware anyone had been hit. Police said they believe the man’s dark clothing, paired with the steam and time of day, obstructed the driver’s view.

The MTA did not respond to a request for comment.

Jerrianne Anthony, executive director of the Baltimore’s Homeless Services, said the city was in a “code blue” last night. When the temperature drops below 32 degrees, workers are sent to canvas the area aiming to bring homeless individuals to the emergency shelters that expand capacity during the code.

The night the man died, Anthony said street team members talked with four men and one woman in the same area where the incident happened. They all declined services. If an individual doesn’t have shelter, Anthony said often times they will use manhole covers as a tool to keep warm.

“To someone out in the elements that’s trying to stay warm it’s a very attractive resource,” Anthony said. “It’s tragic anytime someone dies as a result of not having access to shelter.”