Watch CBS News

Red Line 'Runaway Train' Operator Faces Disciplinary Hearing

BOSTON (CBS) -- A disciplinary hearing was held Monday for the operator of a runway Red Line train.

David Vazquez was not on the train when it left Braintree station last Thursday morning with 50 passengers on board. The train barreled through four stations for 9 minutes before MBTA employees were able to cut power to the third rail and stop it just past North Quincy station. None of the passengers were injured.

Vazquez did not attend the hearing Monday due to stress. His attorney did not attend either.

According to T officials, Vazquez had rigged the train's controls by wrapping a telephone cord around an accelerator control, known as the Cineston valve. When he stepped off the train to flip a switch and fix a signal problem, the train began rolling forward without him.

Related: Passengers Recall Dangerous Ride On Unmanned Red Line Train

Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said the allegations against Vazquez are serious, and that he may be fired. No punishment was announced after the hearing on Monday.

David Vazquez
David Vazquez. (WBZ-TV)

"Any action by an operator that restricted the movement of the Cineston and it's ability to get into its brake position would in fact be a prohibited act that would subject them to termination," said Pollack.

Meanwhile, the two employees who were able to stop the train by cutting power to the third rail were honored by Gov. Charlie Baker at the State House on Monday.

"Multiple safety procedures were not followed by one individual," said Baker. "Thankfully, other MBTA workers at the operations and control center did their jobs, when they were notified almost immediately after the train left Braintree."

Related: Keller @ Large: Runaway Red Line Train Proof Of Larger MBTA Issues

Baker stressed that the runaway train was an isolated incident in which one individual made multiple errors, and not indicative of any widespread issues throughout the MBTA.

According to public records, David Vazquez's annual MBTA salary is $75,691. Last year, he earned more than $96,000 with overtime.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.