Auto dealer hoping for more regulations following auto auction crash

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — One car dealership owner said he thinks there needs to be more scrutiny for drivers hired for auto auctions.

Rodolfo Silva is speaking out after a Jeep suddenly accelerated at the Lynnway Auto Auction in Billerica Wednesday, hitting several people. Three people were killed.

For some car dealers, going to these auto auctions is a way of life and it’s part of their job. Silva’s father and business partner Marilia Elhannaoui was at the auction Wednesday, but was not injured.

“Oh my God, really, really bad. Really bad,” said Elhannaoui.

Silva said he was terrified when he heard the news. The family spends most of their week attending auto auctions throughout New England.

Silva said he understands how the crashes can happen, with hundreds of people walking among hundreds of cars, placing bids on the vehicles they want and then watching them drive out of the building.

“People are crossing in front of cars all the time,” he said

A similar crash happened almost two years ago inside Adesa Boston in Framingham. Another dealer told Boston 25 News that following the crash in 2015, Adesa Boston installed yellow pylons on their warehouse floor.

“That helps, it gives you a better feeling that you’re in a safer place, but it doesn’t keep you from crossing in front of cars,” said Silva.

Silva said he’d like to see more scrutiny placed on the drivers before they’re hired to move cars in and out of the building. He also wouldn’t mind more regulation from the government.

“If the government started doing something about it, trying to control it and regulate it better, if it’s going to protect us, even if it makes my life harder, I’m up for it,” he said.

Boston 25 News tried several times to contact Adesa Boston to speak with them about the changes it made following the crash in 2015, but our calls weren’t returned.