Criminal charges to be filed against LIRR engineer
MINEOLA, N.Y. -- A New York prosecutor says criminal charges are being brought against a Long Island Rail Road engineer and the passenger he allegedly allowed to drive a train, the Associated Press reported.
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said she would discuss details of the case at a press conference on Wednesday.
Rice previously indicated a reckless endangerment charge was being considered. She said if the allegations are true, it could have turned into a "mass casualty."
A witness said the passenger drove the train on July 2. Police said the New York City bound train ran smoothly and no one was injured.
The railroad has called the allegations "extremely serious and troubling." The LIRR said it was reinforcing regulations that bar unauthorized people from engineers' cabs.
The engineer has been suspended without pay.
(The preceding Associated Press report appeared on the Web site www.fox44.net on August 5, 2009.)
