Fun seekers of the 1890s looked to the horseless carriage for new thrills. But 112 years ago this week, at least one driver found that the automobile can also be a hazard.
On May 30, 1896, motorist Henry Wells hit bicyclist Evylyn Thomas on a New York City street. It was America’s first auto accident. Thomas’s injury: a broken leg; car that Wells was driving: a Duryea Motor Wagon; (Picture attached) Well’s penalty: a night in jail.
