NTSB Reveals Train Operator Had Alcohol in System at Time of 2023 Yellow Line Crash
Investigation Finds Train Operator’s Blood Alchol Content Above Legal Limit
A report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed that the CTA Yellow Line train operator who was operating at the time of a November 2023 crash that left dozens of people injured had alcohol in their system.
Blood Testing Reveals Positive Results
According to the updated report, blood testing done at an area hospital following the crash detected a blood alcohol content of 0.06, above the legal limit of 0.02 for train operators. The report states that the hospital test is an "unconfirmed clinical test" with results that are not intended for use in legal purposes.
Additional Testing Disputed Results
A urine test performed later that day detected only substances that had been administered to the operator after the crash, which was verified by review of post-crash medical records.
Collision Occurred on a Clear Day
The crash occurred at around 10:30 a.m. on November 16, 2023, when a southbound Yellow Line train collided with a snow removal machine, injuring 38 people. At the time of the crash, the sun was out, conditions were clear, and there was no precipitation.
Track and Signal System Details
The track the train was operating on was considered a "double main track," and the location of the accident had a signal system that operated with a stopping distance of 1,780 feet or less. The maximum allowed train speed was 55 mph at the time.
Train Operator’s Awareness of Snow Removal Machine
The passenger train was on a scheduled trip from Dempster Skokie Station to Howard Station. The operator was aware that the snow removal machine was operating on the Yellow Line as part of a training exercise but did not know its exact location. Shortly before the collision, the southbound snow removal machine stopped about 370 feet north of a red signal indication. The passenger train was traveling southbound at a speed of 54 mph when the operator received a stop command from the signal system because of the snow removal machine stopped on the track about 2,150 feet ahead.
Braking System and Organic Material
The report noted that investigators took samples of "organic material from the top surface of the rails at the accident site" and said future investigation activity will focus on "the design and configuration of the CTA signal system, the design and braking performance of the railcars involved in the accident, and examination of organic material present on top of the running rails investigators collected to determine what impact, if any, this material had on the accident." The organic material has been in question since the investigation began, along with a "design problem" with the train’s braking system.
Preliminary Findings and Next Steps
According to preliminary data obtained from the event recorder, the train was traveling at 26.9 miles per hour when it struck the snow equipment. "We know that CTA’s system saw the snow equipment ahead," NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said last month. "It was supposed to be there. They knew it was going to be there. We also know from our calculations this train on this day was designed to stop within 1,780 feet… it didn’t. So now we needed to determine why."
Conclusion
The investigation into the 2023 Yellow Line crash continues, with a focus on determining the cause of the accident and any contributing factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the blood alcohol content of the train operator?
A: The blood alcohol content was 0.06, above the legal limit of 0.02 for train operators.
Q: What was the maximum allowed speed of the train at the time of the crash?
A: 55 mph
Q: How many people were injured in the crash?
A: 38 people were injured in the crash.
Q: What is the focus of the ongoing investigation?
A: The investigation is focusing on the design and configuration of the CTA signal system, the design and braking performance of the railcars involved in the accident, and examination of organic material present on top of the running rails to determine what impact, if any, this material had on the accident.
