Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Investigating the Metrolink Crash: Was the Light Green?

One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.

LA Now is reporting that interviews with witnesses of last month's deadly Metrolink-Union Pacific train crash have shed light on findings in opposition of the National Transportation Safety Board--and the color of that light just happens to be green.

Three observers, including the Metrolink Chatsworth station security guard, claim "that a final, crucial railroad signal was green as the commuter line's engineer headed toward the collision point." Evidence gathered in the NTSB's preliminary investigation indicate the light was red; paired with the ongoing discussion of Robert Sanchez's on-duty text-messaging activities just prior to the collision many believe it was the late engineer's overlooking the signal that caused the accident.

According to the Times, it is not uncommon for investigators to hear conflicting reports from witnesses, particularly when the incident is "catastrophic." The witnesses, however, remain insistent.

The NTSB work to determine what happened during the crash as part of the investigation | AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes

One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.

If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today