May 9, 2009 MBTA: 'Texting' likely cause of train crash Play video

(NECN: Boston, Mass.) - Just hours after a collision between two MBTA Green Line trains, investigators have announced a likely cause of the crash.

MBTA general manager Dan Grabauskas said that the driver admitted to Mass. Transit Police that he had been text messaging at the time of the accident.

"The operator of the striking train was interviewed at the hospital by two detectives," Grabauskas said. "During that interview, he admitted that he was texting at the time of the accident. Apparently just prior to that, he tried to make a phone call. The phone call did not go through. As he exited the station, he began texting, and, as was described to me by the interviewing detective, the operator said that he noticed as he was looking down the red lights, looked up and it was too late as he applied the brake and the train struck the other trolley."

Mass. Transit Police said that the driver was 24-years-old and had 22 months on the job.

Grabauskas said that the investigation was ongoing, and he was upfront with his feelings after learning about the alleged text messaging.

"Absolutely outraged. We have reinforced for a number of years that the use of cell phones or any other kind of electronic devices while operating a train or a bus is absolutely prohibited. We treat it as a safety infraction and in certain cases it can result in discipline up to and including discharge," Grabauskas said.

Grabauskas also detailed the zero tolerance

"I will just tell you this: After the incident last year, we reissued and augmented our policy with our employees -- we let our employees know that there is a zero tolerance policy with the use of any electronic advice. I can tell you that it's difficult for me to contain my outrage at hearing this."

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