Transit Chief Expected to Fire Operator of Driverless train

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts transit investigators looking into a runaway train are recommending that the operator be fired.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority General Manager Frank DePaola was expected to accept that recommendation Tuesday, according to an individual with direct knowledge of the decision. The person wasn’t authorized to discuss the situation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The recommendation came after a disciplinary hearing attended by the driver, 53-yead-old David Vazquez.

The driver’s lawyer, Phillip Gordon, said Vazquez feels terrible about what happened.

The driverless train left a suburban Boston station on Thursday morning and rumbled through several stops before transit workers stopped it by cutting power to the rails. No passengers were hurt.

Gov. Charlie Baker has said the operator appeared to violate several safety procedures.