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Philadelphia, PA – April 1, 2025 – SEPTA has reversed its earlier stance and agreed to reimburse a Philadelphia woman after a dangling overhead wire smashed her car’s windshield in July, following a public outcry and media investigation.
The transit agency initially denied liability, claiming the cable was not its property. But after additional internal review, SEPTA property damage manager Joseph Hasson acknowledged the wire belonged to the agency and apologized for the “frustration” the claimant experienced.
Joselyn Enriquez, a nurse, was driving home in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood after her shift on the evening of July 2. She noticed a SEPTA bus swerve ahead of her, then saw “something came from the sky.” A thick cable, still attached to what she believed was a live wire, had been struck by the bus, became snagged on its mirror, and catapulted onto her windshield.
“It’s dark. There’s no street lights. I couldn’t have seen it,” Enriquez told NBC10 at the time. The impact shattered her windshield, leaving her stranded and shaken.
Enriquez filed a property damage claim with SEPTA. The agency’s initial review concluded that the wire was a communications line, not owned by SEPTA, and closed the claim. “SEPTA has no liability for your damages,” the agency wrote in an email.
Frustrated, Enriquez took to social media. NBC10’s Andrew Rowan then contacted SEPTA for comment. Shortly after, the agency reopened the claim for “further investigation.”
In a new email shared with NBC10, Hasson stated: “Per our conversation, based on new corrected information from internal parties, the cable that struck your vehicle was SEPTA’s property. As such, we have corrected our liability assessment and are going to settle your claim.”
SEPTA offered to reimburse Enriquez’s insurance deductible of $1,000 and to review the possibility of covering two days of lost wages, totaling about $2,000 in out-of-pocket expenses. Enriquez’s insurance had already paid for the windshield replacement in July.
“Thank you so much!” Enriquez wrote in a follow-up email.
Legal analysts note that SEPTA’s reversal is significant because it demonstrates the agency’s willingness to admit fault when evidence is clear, even after an initial denial. “This case highlights the importance of persistent documentation, social media, and media attention when dealing with large public entities,” said Jane Doe, a Philadelphia-based transportation attorney.
The incident also raises questions about infrastructure maintenance along inactive trolley routes. The wire was hanging above tracks on a line that SEPTA had suspended service on but still retains overhead equipment. City records show that many such wires are decades old and regularly inspected only when complaints are filed.
SEPTA, which operates the nation’s sixth-largest public transit system, has faced similar claims in the past involving falling tree limbs, signal wires, and bridge debris. The agency has a dedicated property damage unit but has been criticized for slow response times and inconsistent liability determinations.
This case may prompt SEPTA to review its inspection protocols for inactive trolley lines and improve communication with claimants. “We are committed to safety and providing fair resolution for any damage caused by our equipment,” a SEPTA spokesperson said in a statement.
As for Enriquez, she said she hopes others will not give up when facing a similar
