In August 1987, American actor Matthew Broderick was involved in a devastating head-on collision while vacationing in Northern Ireland with his girlfriend and ‘Dirty Dancing’ co-star Jennifer Grey. The crash tragically claimed the lives of two local women.
On August 5th, Broderick and Grey became lost while driving from Irvinestown to Maguiresbridge. They made several stops for directions and to wait out rain showers. After getting directions from an off-duty police officer who warned against their chosen route, Broderick continued on and later swerved into oncoming traffic, colliding with another car.
The other vehicle was occupied by local woman Margaret Doherty, 63, who used a wheelchair, and her daughter Anna Gallagher, 28. Both were killed in the violent crash. Broderick and Grey sustained major injuries but survived.
Broderick was charged with careless driving and fined $175, escaping harsher charges of vehicular manslaughter. The victims’ families criticized the light punishment.
Grey struggled to pair her breakout fame from ‘Dirty Dancing’ with her grief and guilt over the tragedy. Broderick also coped with severe emotional trauma and survivor’s guilt.
Despite intentions to meet with the victims’ families, Broderick faced backlash decades later over his insensitivity, having never connected with them. The crash still haunts both stars over 35 years later.
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