NTSB: Amtrak Engineer Wasn't Talking Or Texting On Cell Phone
WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- Investigators looking into the cause of last month's deadly Amtrak crash answer a big question about the engineer's actions. For the first time, they are revealing what they've learned about his cell phone use that day.
Derek Valcourt explains the new findings only deepen the investigation.
That cell phone has been a major focus of the investigation. What investigators have now learned from that phone answers one question, but leaves many more.
When a speeding Amtrak train derailed as it rounded a curve in Philadelphia, investigators immediately began looking into whether engineer Brandon Bostian was using his cell phone at the time.
NTSB officials now tell members of Congress that wasn't the case. Data shows he wasn't talking, texting or even downloading anything at the time--but they are still analyzing his phone.
"There are 400,000 pieces of data involved in the analysis. And because of the extent of that, things like the use of an app or other use of the phone has not been determined," said NTSB Vice Chairman T. Bella Dinh-Zarr.
Those findings leave lawyers for some of the victims with more questions about the engineer who told police he doesn't remember the crash.
"Well, what was he doing and how did this happen if he wasn't on the phone?" said Larry Bendesky, victim's attorney.
"From a legal perspective, it doesn't matter," said Attorney Marc Rosen.
Rosen specializes in transportation cases.
Valcourt: "Just because he wasn't using his cell phone, does that mean he didn't do anything wrong?"
Rosen: "No, it doesn't. He clearly is involved in the case. He was speeding. And if the train was going too fast, it was likely his fault because he made it go too fast. If it was going too fast and it wasn't his fault, he was responsible for slowing it down."
As the investigation continues, Amtrak is pushing ahead with plans to add inward facing cameras to monitor train engineers and installation by year's end of technology that couples GPS with sensors in the rails to automatically slow a speeding train.
Two people remain hospitalized following last month's crash. Eight passengers were killed, including three with ties to Maryland.
