District Metro Tightens Security After Imposter Driver Slams Bus Into Tree | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

Washington Metro officials are reviewing their security policies after a teenager snuck onto a bus and drove it into a tree on July 9, according to a story in the Washington Post.

It’s the latest scandal in a year of public scrutiny of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority that began when two trains collided June 22, 2009, killing four and injuring dozens.

On Friday, Metro officials say 19-year-old William Jackson dressed in a standard-issue bus driver’s uniform and went through security pretending to be the driver for the B2 route, which goes from Bladensburg Road to Nicosia in the District of Columbia (DC).

The ride ended four miles later when Jackson crashed the bus into a tree and several cars, metro officials said. There were no immediate serious injuries reported to the passengers in the bus accident.

Jackson initially fled the accident scene, but was arrested a short time later and charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle and fleeing an accident.

Now Metro officials are trying to determine how Jackson got past security guards and onto the bus. They are also beefing up security at Metrobus facilities and increasing security checks of personnel entering and leaving the stations, the story said.

Stricter Metro safety procedures is key to giving riders a worry-free commute and our firm stands committed to making sure riders’ rights are protected.  Even with experienced bus drivers, careless acts have been the cause of serious bus accidents and the last thing anyone needs is for an imposter bus driver to wreck a bus.

 

SF