Matthew Broderick’s Close Call: The Car Crash that Nearly Sent Him to Prison

In a shocking turn of events, actor Matthew Broderick, famously known for his role in “Ferris Bueller's Day Off,” narrowly escaped jail time after being involved in a tragic car accident that resulted in the deaths of two women.

This incident took place in 1987 in Ireland, just days before his then-girlfriend Jennifer Grey's movie “Dirty Dancing” was set to be released.

Broderick managed to avoid imprisonment by pleading guilty to the charge of careless driving.

The unfortunate incident occurred on August 5, 1987.

Broderick and Grey were driving a rented BMW 316 from Irvinestown to Maguiresbridge when they stopped at a gas station near Enniskillen to ask for directions from an off-duty policeman.

Despite being warned by the officer that their chosen route was ill-advised, the couple decided to proceed with their journey.

They made another stop to seek directions and encountered heavy rain, which made the roads slippery.

It was during this fateful moment that Broderick lost control of the BMW, causing a head-on collision with another vehicle approximately 80 miles west of Belfast.

The car driven by Anna Gallagher, 28, collided with Broderick's car, resulting in the tragic deaths of Gallagher and her mother, Margaret Doherty, 63.

Broderick suffered severe injuries and was rushed to the hospital, where he remained for four weeks.

He had cuts on his face and a badly broken right leg.

Local fire brigade member Ken Ramsey revealed that they had to extricate Broderick from his vehicle in order to administer first aid.

Throughout this ordeal, Broderick's primary concern was the condition of those in the other car.

He repeatedly asked about their well-being.

Grey, on the other hand, sustained only minor injuries and was covered in Broderick's blood.

Despite the physical pain, she remained courageous and supportive.

Broderick later confessed to authorities that he had no recollection of the day's events leading up to the accident.

He claimed that his memory only returned when he woke up in the hospital with a strange sensation in his leg.

Initially charged with causing death by dangerous driving, Broderick faced the possibility of spending up to five years in prison.

However, he eventually pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of careless driving and paid a $175 fine.

Surprisingly, he was never charged with vehicular manslaughter.

The victims' family regarded this outcome as a miscarriage of justice.

Martin Doherty, Margaret's son, expressed his disappointment in Broderick's lack of communication following the accident.

He desired a private meeting between the family and Broderick to assure him that they harbored no ill will.

In 2002, Doherty revealed to the New York Post that he had forgiven Broderick, acknowledging that the actor did not intentionally cause the deaths of his mother and sister.

Although there were strong emotions at the time, Doherty no longer holds any anger towards Broderick.

As for Broderick himself, he continues to grapple with the haunting memories of the fatal crash.

He admitted to the British women's magazine Best that coming to terms with the incident was extraordinarily challenging.

However, over time, he found solace and healing through therapy.