Family Life

06.24.09 | FL News Team

The National Transportation Safety Board says it is just beginning its investigation of Monday's collision between two Metrorail trains that killed nine people in the nation's capital. NTSB official Deborah Hersman says it appears the moving train which struck a standing train between the Red Line's Takoma and Fort Totten stations was in the "auto" mode as it should have been and that the emergency brake was used. The NTSB is looking into the record of, and other information about 42-year-old Jeanice McMillen, the operator of the striking train who was killed in the crash. Also getting a close look will be some track maintenance work which was done in the area earlier this month. Hersman says some of the train cars have been removed and taken to a secure location. Some on-site testing, including partial re-enactments, will be performed today. Hersman notes the FBI is assisting with the investigation.

Meanwhile, all four U.S. Senators from Maryland and Virginia have joined together to push for 150-million dollars in federal funding that would be used for upgrades and improvements for Metro. The letter, signed by Senators Jim Webb, Mark Warner, Ben Cardin, and Barbara Mikulski, notes how early reports are suggesting the accident could have been prevented, but that Metro hasn't replaced the older model railcars like the one involved in the crash because of costs and other complications. Copies were sent to the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, as well as the subcommittee that handles transportation.