The first person killed by an automobile was Bridget Driscoll (UK), who received fatal injuries when she walked into the path of a car moving at 4 mph (6.4 km/h), as it was giving demonstration rides in the grounds of Crystal Palace, London, UK on 17 August 1896.

Bridget Driscoll was about 44 years old, and the car belonged to the Anglo-French Motor Car Company.

Pre-dating the death of Ms Driscoll is the death of Mary Ward of Belfast, who died on 31 August 1869 after falling out of a steam-powered carriage; Driscoll is therefore the first pedestrian killed by a car, while Ward is the first to die as a result of riding in a car.