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.
Iranian prosecutor denies canceling 800 executions as Trump claimed
House GOP slammed by conservatives for joining Dems on controversial ‘kill switch’ amendment
Trump keeps Macron under spotlight as Greenland talks grind forward from Davos
Dem. Rep. Melts down Over Boy, 5, Rescued by ICE – But Where Was She When Biden Left 300k Kids to Sex Trafficking and/or Abandonment?
She Hurt for Him: Priceless Video Shows Woman Behind Jack Smith Looking Like She’s in Physical Pain as GOP Reps Repeatedly Expose Him as Fraud
Trump Yanks ‘Prestigious’ Board of Peace Offer from Canada After War of Words at Davos
Venezuelan national accused of claiming control over Arizona community, threatening residents: report
Former Uvalde school officer says he doesn’t regret actions after not guilty verdict
J6 Cop Coughs Vulgar Curse to Republican Rep During Jack Smith Hearing
Liberal activist groups organize Minneapolis high schoolers to protest against ICE
Border Patrol union chief touts high morale despite clashes with agitators: ‘They are patriotic’
WATCH: Former ICE director reveals what goes into agency’s decisions on cities to target
Democrats push to blacklist ICE officers from future government jobs
NEA insider blows whistle on ‘toxic’ culture and far-left politics inside teachers union: ‘It’s a cult’
Trump Forces the Fake News to Stare at the Mugshots of Violent Illegal Criminals Caught By ICE
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.
