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Engineer Crashes Train Near Hospital Ship in Los Angeles Engineer Crashes Train Near Hospital Ship in Los Angeles
(2 days later)
The U.S.N.S. Mercy, a Navy hospital ship, arrived at the Port of Los Angeles on Friday to bolster a health care system that officials worry could be overwhelmed by a surge in coronavirus patients.The U.S.N.S. Mercy, a Navy hospital ship, arrived at the Port of Los Angeles on Friday to bolster a health care system that officials worry could be overwhelmed by a surge in coronavirus patients.
One train operator and engineer who worked at the port grew suspicious, he later told the authorities, according to an affidavit by an F.B.I. special agent, Douglas Swain.One train operator and engineer who worked at the port grew suspicious, he later told the authorities, according to an affidavit by an F.B.I. special agent, Douglas Swain.
The engineer, Eduardo Moreno, told investigators that he wondered if the ship had some unstated purpose, or something to do with a government takeover, one of several baseless conspiracy theories emerging about the government’s handling of the outbreak.The engineer, Eduardo Moreno, told investigators that he wondered if the ship had some unstated purpose, or something to do with a government takeover, one of several baseless conspiracy theories emerging about the government’s handling of the outbreak.
Those unfounded suspicions bubbled over on Tuesday when Mr. Moreno, at the end of his shift, sent a train off its tracks at full speed and crashed it some 250 yards away from the Mercy, according to prosecutors and Mr. Moreno’s statements recorded in the affidavit.Those unfounded suspicions bubbled over on Tuesday when Mr. Moreno, at the end of his shift, sent a train off its tracks at full speed and crashed it some 250 yards away from the Mercy, according to prosecutors and Mr. Moreno’s statements recorded in the affidavit.
No one was injured in the crash and the Mercy was not damaged. Mr. Moreno, 44, was charged with one count of train wrecking, according to a statement released Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. The crime carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.No one was injured in the crash and the Mercy was not damaged. Mr. Moreno, 44, was charged with one count of train wrecking, according to a statement released Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. The crime carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Mr. Moreno was in custody on Wednesday, prosecutors said. His lawyer, Lisa LaBarre, could not immediately be reached for comment.Mr. Moreno was in custody on Wednesday, prosecutors said. His lawyer, Lisa LaBarre, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Mr. Moreno said he acted alone, according to prosecutors.Mr. Moreno said he acted alone, according to prosecutors.
He told detectives with the Los Angeles Port Police that he had not planned to crash the train, according to remarks from their interview included in the affidavit. But while he was “pushing” the last train car of the day, his thoughts “just kept going and going,” he told the detectives according to remarks included in the affidavit.He told detectives with the Los Angeles Port Police that he had not planned to crash the train, according to remarks from their interview included in the affidavit. But while he was “pushing” the last train car of the day, his thoughts “just kept going and going,” he told the detectives according to remarks included in the affidavit.
“Sometimes you just get a little snap,” he said, according to the affidavit. “I just had it and I was committed. I just went for it, I had one chance.”“Sometimes you just get a little snap,” he said, according to the affidavit. “I just had it and I was committed. I just went for it, I had one chance.”
A spokesman for the port, Phillip Sanfield, said the ship was separated from the tracks by a grassy area, a parking lot and a channel of water.A spokesman for the port, Phillip Sanfield, said the ship was separated from the tracks by a grassy area, a parking lot and a channel of water.
“There was no way either on the tracks or off the tracks to get to the vessel,” Mr. Sanfield said.“There was no way either on the tracks or off the tracks to get to the vessel,” Mr. Sanfield said.
Mr. Moreno worked for a private rail company, Pacific Harbor Line, said Stefan Friedman, a spokesman for the company. He said Mr. Moreno had been “decertified” and could no longer work as an engineer.Mr. Moreno worked for a private rail company, Pacific Harbor Line, said Stefan Friedman, a spokesman for the company. He said Mr. Moreno had been “decertified” and could no longer work as an engineer.
Prosecutors said the locomotive crashed through at least three barriers and stopped near three occupied vehicles. They said the authorities had to clean up a “substantial amount of fuel” that leaked from the train.Prosecutors said the locomotive crashed through at least three barriers and stopped near three occupied vehicles. They said the authorities had to clean up a “substantial amount of fuel” that leaked from the train.
Updated August 4, 2020 Updated August 6, 2020
Video footage from the locomotive showed a man riding in the cab before the crash holding a lighted flare, prosecutors said.Video footage from the locomotive showed a man riding in the cab before the crash holding a lighted flare, prosecutors said.
An officer with the California Highway Patrol witnessed the crash and saw Mr. Moreno, wearing a bright yellow safety vest, climbing out of the locomotive’s cab after the crash, according to the affidavit.An officer with the California Highway Patrol witnessed the crash and saw Mr. Moreno, wearing a bright yellow safety vest, climbing out of the locomotive’s cab after the crash, according to the affidavit.
In interviews with the authorities included in the affidavit, Mr. Moreno admitted to crashing the train, saying he knew it would draw the attention of the news media. He said he was suspicious of the Navy ship and “wanted to bring attention to the government’s activities,” according to the affidavit.In interviews with the authorities included in the affidavit, Mr. Moreno admitted to crashing the train, saying he knew it would draw the attention of the news media. He said he was suspicious of the Navy ship and “wanted to bring attention to the government’s activities,” according to the affidavit.
The Mercy is handling patients who have ailments unrelated to the coronavirus to “allow local hospitals in Los Angeles to concentrate on Covid-19 care,” the Department of Defense said Friday. The ship provides a “full spectrum of medical care, including general surgeries, critical care and ward care for adults,” according to the department.The Mercy is handling patients who have ailments unrelated to the coronavirus to “allow local hospitals in Los Angeles to concentrate on Covid-19 care,” the Department of Defense said Friday. The ship provides a “full spectrum of medical care, including general surgeries, critical care and ward care for adults,” according to the department.
Another hospital ship, the U.S.N.S. Comfort, arrived in New York Harbor on Monday with a similar mission.Another hospital ship, the U.S.N.S. Comfort, arrived in New York Harbor on Monday with a similar mission.