An engineer deliberately ran a train off the tracks at high speed near the Port of Los Angeles in an attempt to crash into the USNS Mercy hospital ship, prosecutors say.
The Pacific Harbor Line train derailed Tuesday, running through the end of the track and crashing through barriers, finally coming to rest about 250 yards from the docked naval ship.
Federal prosecutors allege train engineer Eduardo Moreno, 44, of San Pedro intended to hit the ship, saying he thought it was “suspicious” and did not believe “the ship is what they say it’s for.'”
The train crashed into a concrete barrier at the end of the track, smashed through a steel barrier and a chain-link fence, slid through one parking lot and then a second lot filled with gravel and hit a second chain-link fence. It came to rest after passing under a ramp leading to the Vincent Thomas Bridge. The train remained in that position Wednesday.
No one was injured in the derailment, but the train leaked fuel that required a hazmat response.
Afghan Christian pastor pleads with Trump, warns of Taliban revenge after admin revokes refugee protections
LA County DA Nathan Hochman promises crackdown on illegal immigrants: ‘The fun is over’
Los Angeles business owner blasts ‘Baby Shark’ on repeat to ward off homeless encampments
Alcatraz ‘absolutely’ can reopen: Bureau of Prisons director
Nickelodeon Deletes ‘Dora the Explorer’ Video After People Realize What Word It’s Trying to Teach Kids
Bruce Springsteen ignores question about Trump feud while signing autographs: video
Op-Ed: Missouri Republicans Made a Massive Error with New Ballot Measure
Political world reacts to former President Biden’s ‘aggressive’ cancer diagnosis: ‘Incredibly difficult’
Trump wishes Biden ‘fast and successful recovery’ after prostate cancer diagnosis
It Looks Like Jaguar Is Ditching Agency Behind Bizarre Ad – What Were They Thinking?
Rubio says people should be ‘celebrating’ US welcoming South African immigrants
Hollywood Star Told to Change Her Outfit at Film Festival: ‘Probably Also a Good Rule’
Mexican navy cadet is first victim to be identified in Brooklyn Bridge ship collision
Rubio teases details of potential Trump, Putin in-person meeting after Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks stall
Bipartisan Warning: Americans Should Brace for a Brutal Summer Vacation
Authorities say Moreno admitted to crashing the train intentionally, but said he did not plan it out in advance. It is believed that he acted alone.
He allegedly made statements to a CHP officer that included “You only get this chance once. The whole world is watching. I had to. People don’t know what’s going on here. Now they will.”
Officials say video from inside the train’s cab shows Moreno holding a lighted flare during the incident.
Moreno has been charged with one count of train wrecking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
The Mercy arrived at the Port of Los Angeles this weekend.
The Navy hospital ship was brought in to handle non-coronavirus patients, to help ease the burden of local hospitals that are surging with COVID-19 cases.
The ship has about 1,000 hospital beds, with some 800 active-duty doctors, nurses and medical staff on board. It is expected to stay in Los Angeles at least until September or until it is no longer needed.
Story cited here.
