Crime & Safety

Pedestrian Killed in MBTA Bus Accident Identified

The Middlesex District Attorney's office has identified the pedestrian killed in the MBTA bus accident Tuesday night as Minor McLain, 88, a World War II veteran and Prisoner of War.

The 88-year-old pedestrian killed in the MBTA bus accident Tuesday night in the area of Franklin and Pratt Streets as Melrose resident Minor McLain, according to the Middlesex District Attorney's office.

McLain, a World War II veteran and Prisoner of War, died after being struck by the Melrose Highlands Bus 131 while attempting to cross the street to attend a weekly VFW meeting around 7 p.m. Tuesday. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and later transported to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, according to MBTA Transit Police Deputy Chief Kenneth Green.

"The victim was attempting to cross the street," Green said. "The bus was traveling about 20 miles per hour and about to pull in to a bus stop, and, according to witnesses on the scene, the way the sun was coming over the hill there was a real nasty sun glare and that might have contributed to the bus hitting him."

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Police do not believe the accident was suspicious, and the bus driver has been relieved of their duties and will be tested for drugs and alcohol which is standard procedure.

The Middlesex District Attorney's office is handling the investigation, according to Green.

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About Minor McLain

Five Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School students raised more than $9,000 to take local World War II veterans—including McLain—to visit their memorial in Washington as part of the Operation Resolve project.

Andrew McClain, Minor's son, told WHDH-TV that his father "loved life, (and) a lot of people loved him." Minor McLain, a longtime VFW member, was heading to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2394 on Chipman Avenue, his son told WHDH.

Minor's son had a difficult night following the fatal accident on Tuesday.

"All I know is what I heard on TV and Melrose Patch," he told WHDH. "I did not sleep at all last night."

Meanwhile, Susan Saunders, Minor's daughter, was notified of her father's death while she was in Georgia, Andrew told WHDH.

It is unclear whether funeral services have been made for McLain.


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