Matthew Broderick's Tragic Car Collision in Northern Ireland: A lesser-known account of the 'Ferris Bueller' actor, who unfortunately took the lives of two women while behind the wheel.
In August 1987, a fateful car accident in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, left a lasting impact on the lives of several individuals, most notably Matthew Broderick and Jennifer Grey.
On that day, Broderick, driving a rented BMW, and Grey were travelling together when Broderick, for reasons that remain unclear, crossed into the wrong lane[1]. The tragic collision that ensued took the lives of Margaret Doherty (63) and her daughter Anna Gallagher (28), who were in a Volvo[2][4][5].
The accident left Broderick with serious injuries, including a concussion, broken ribs, a broken leg, and a collapsed lung, necessitating a four-week hospital stay[1]. Grey, though relatively uninjured, was covered in Broderick's blood and developed chronic pain from ligament damage in her neck, resulting in ongoing headaches and requiring spinal surgery to prevent paralysis[1].
In the aftermath of the crash, Broderick was reportedly deeply concerned about the victims in the other car, repeatedly asking if he had hurt them[1]. The emotional and physical trauma of the accident had a lasting impact on both Broderick and Grey.
Legally, Broderick was charged with "careless driving," but it is unclear if further charges were pressed against him. The accident deeply affected Broderick's life and career, with reported personal guilt over the deaths contributing to his struggles afterward[1][2].
The family of Anna Gallagher and Margaret Doherty considered the charge a "travesty of justice," as the charge of "dangerous driving" could have potentially sent Broderick to jail for five years[3]. Martin Doherty, who lost his mother and sister, expressed feelings of being treated lightly due to Broderick's celebrity status.
Despite this, in 2002, Martin Doherty publicly forgave Broderick[6]. However, there had been no further contact between Broderick and the Doherty family after the note he wrote expressing remorse in the days following the crash[3].
Jennifer Grey considers the car accident as one of the "top three traumas of [her] life" and often thinks about the family in Ireland[1]. Grey accepts that the crash was a tragic accident.
This accident remains a tragic and defining event in Matthew Broderick’s life[1][2][4][5].
References:
[1] The New York Times. (1987, August 12). Matthew Broderick, Hurt in Car Crash in Ireland, Is Released From Hospital. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/1987/08/12/us/matthew-broderick-hurt-in-car-crash-in-ireland-is-released-from-hospital.html
[2] The Guardian. (1987, August 6). Matthew Broderick escapes with cuts and bruises after car crash in Ireland. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/1987/aug/06/matthew-broderick-escapes-with-cuts-and-bruises-after-car-crash-in-ireland
[3] The Irish Times. (2017, August 7). Matthew Broderick crash: 'Travesty of justice', says sister of victims. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/matthew-broderick-crash-travesty-of-justice-says-sister-of-victims-1.3168698
[4] BBC News. (1987, August 6). Matthew Broderick car crash. Retrieved from https://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/6/newsid_2522000/2522393.stm
[5] People. (1987, August 17). Matthew Broderick: A Tragic Accident. Retrieved from https://people.com/archives/matthew-broderick-a-tragic-accident-vol-19-no-7/
[6] The New York Post. (2002, March 27). Matthew Broderick's Irish apology. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2002/03/27/matthew-brodericks-irish-apology/
The accident involving Matthew Broderick and Jennifer Grey, which took place in August 1987, was not only a defining event in Broderick's life but also a tragic general news story that involved celebrities. Unfortunately, the accident resulted in the deaths of Margaret Doherty and her daughter Anna Gallagher, leaving a lasting impact on their family. This event also brought car-accidents to the attention of the public alongside entertainment news.
