Green Hornet streetcar and a fuel truck collided on May 25, 1950, killing 34 people at 63rd and State Streets in Chicago
A Green Hornet streetcar and a fuel truck collided on May 25, 1950, killing 34 people at 63rd and State Streets in Chicago. At the time of the accident, the streetcar was being switched into a "turnaround" because of flooded conditions in an underpass. Instead of stopping, the streetcar driver went through the flooded underpass, hit an open switch that violently turned the streetcar left, and crashed into a semi-truck carrying thousands of gallons of gasoline. The streetcar had been full of rush hour commuters, of which 33 died immediately and one died later of injuries from the crash. Few were able to escape.
The streetcars were called Green Hornet's due to their speed and color.