It happened in broad daylight, no storm, no distraction—just a man crossing a road he had likely walked many times before and not making it to the other side. At approximately 6:20 p.m. on Friday, 58-year-old Martin Thompson stepped off the curb and began crossing Brownsville Road in Bensalem Township. He was heading north toward Oak Avenue, according to investigators, walking at an ordinary pace, carrying nothing more than a jacket over one arm.
Surveillance footage collected from nearby homes and businesses shows he was not within a designated crosswalk, instead making his way mid-block, a common but risky decision on that busy stretch of road.At the same moment, a dark blue Porsche approached, traveling westbound. Police say a separate vehicle—a sedan turning left from
Oak Avenue—briefly blocked the driver’s line of sight, creating a split-second blind spot. It was long enough to hide Thompson from view. Investigators believe the pedestrian, likewise, could not see the Porsche until the vehicle had already closed the distance. The collision was sudden and violent; witnesses described hearing a sharp thud before seeing Thompson thrown several feet forward onto the asphalt.
First responders arrived within minutes, but the outcome was tragically clear. Thompson suffered catastrophic head injuries, and paramedics reported no signs of life upon arrival. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. The driver of the Porsche, whose name authorities have not yet released, immediately stopped and remained at the scene. Police say he cooperated fully, submitting to questioning and on-site testing.
Investigators are now reviewing speed data, lighting conditions, and roadway geometry to determine whether additional factors contributed. While no charges have been filed at this time, the incident has prompted renewed discussions about pedestrian safety and visibility along Brownsville Road, a corridor known for heavy traffic but limited crossing points.
