WASHINGTON — A DC Metrorail operator was arrested on suspicion of operating a train while intoxicated in a Dec. 23 incident, the news site Greater Greater Washington reports, citing a Metro Transit Police department document.
Arrest came after the Blue Line train missed a stop at Van Dorn Street, then halted between stations for some 30 minutes before finally arriving at the next station, Franconia-Springfield, where customers were able to leave the train.
“Metro officials and emergency responders found a train operator under the influence of alcohol,” a Metro representative told Greater Greater Washington. “The operator, a Metro employee since 2017 and a train operator since 2019, was arrested by MTPD and charged with DWI. He will not be allowed to return to work per Metro’s rules, which strictly enforce drug and alcohol policies.”
Emergency personnel were responding because officials at the Metro Rail Operations Control Center were unable to reach the train operator.
The independent Washington Metrorail Safety Commission was informed of the incident the next day and is conducting an investigation.
The article does not state what are WMATA’s blood alcohol limits or the operator’s breathalyser test result.
WJLA ABC7 reported the breathalyser showed .081. The station also reported that authorities said the train operator’s “eyes were bloodshot and watery, and he seemed to have slurred speech.”
Rule G is still on effect
There are degrees of intoxication, the very lowest of which is zero-tolerated. This train driver seems to be really seriously totally far-gone passed-out rat-arsed.
I’m going to memorize your description for high end intoxication.