Operator Of Runaway Red Line Train Officially Fired

BOSTON (CBS) – The MBTA driver responsible for a Red Line train leaving Braintree Station without an operator has officially been fired, sources told WBZ-TV.

Related: Operator Error 'Primary Focus' Of Runaway Red Line Train Investigation

Sources told WBZ-TV's Lauren Leamanczyk that David Vazquez, who attended a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, was officially fired when paperwork was completed and mailed on Wednesday.

MBTA officials say Vazquez, 53, wrapped a rubber cord around an accelator control on the train on Dec. 10.

When the veteran MBTA employee got off the train to fix a signal problem, the train left Braintree Station without him and continued through four stops.

None of the 50 people on board the train were hurt during the incident.

Vazquez's disciplinary hearing was initially scheduled for Monday but he did not show up. He said his doctor told him to avoid it due to stress-related illness.

After his firing, Vazquez will have a right to appeal.

Leamanczyk spoke to Vazquez's lawyer, who said he is not sure why there has been such a rush to fire the longtime employee, who had a clean record prior to the incident.

The attorney said Vazquez is looking at his options, but will likely appeal.