2 hurt after Cincinnati streetcar, while not in service, derails following crash

One of the Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcars was in a crash Friday afternoon and derailed, injuring two people.

The crash happened at Elm and Liberty streets around 4 p.m. and no passengers were injured as service had been suspended Thursday for repairs and testing.

The streetcar was still running its route Friday for testing, according to Brandy Jones, spokeswoman for the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority.

SORTA said the streetcar, traveling north on Elm Street, was struck by a westbound Nissan Maxima on Liberty Street, causing the derailment and sending two Transdev employees to a local hospital. The driver of the Nissan, who was cited by police, declined to be transported to the hospital.

One of the injured was a Transdev operator and the other a Transdev trainee, according to SORTA. The injuries appear to not be life-threatening, according to city officials.

By 5:20 p.m. crews had returned the streetcar to its tracks. The intersection of Elm and Liberty was reopened an hour and a half after the collision.

According to text messages sent from Cincinnati City Manager Harry Black to members of city council, "initial signs are that the (Nissan) ran a red light."

On Thursday the announcement was made that service would be suspended until Monday "to allow work on correcting numerous issues related to manufacturing and design defects."

SORTA spokeswoman Sallie Hilvers said this was the first time the streetcar has been derailed outside of controlled tests and simulations.