Engineer of Amtrak Train That Crashed at Speed Claims to Have No Recollection of Accident

The investigation about what went wrong before an Amtrak train jumped off the rails in Philadelphia is focusing on what was going on in the mind of one man as the train sped into a curve at 106 mph, more than twice the speed limit for that stretch of track.

Speculation about what was going through the mind of Amtrak engineer Brandon Bostian has intensified as the death toll in the train crash rose to eight with the discovery of another body on Thursday – two days after the derailment.

Bostian, the man who should have the answers is not saying. His attorney has told ABC’s “Good Morning America” his client “has absolutely no recollection whatsoever” after losing consciousness in the crash on Tuesday night.

“He remembers coming into the curve (and) attempting to reduce speed,” CNN reported attorney Robert Goggin said. “The last thing he recalls is coming to, looking for his bag, getting his cell phone, turning it on and calling 911.”

There appears to be no dispute about the fact the train was traveling dangerously fast. Initial information showed it went into a curve at about 106 mph, National Transportation Safety Board member Robert Sumwalt said. That’s more than twice the 50-mph speed limit posted for the curve, and significantly above the 80-mph limit immediately before it.

Crash Investigators have not yet said if human error or mechanical error was to blame for the crash. Bostian, who has 15 staples in his head and stitches in one leg, may not be able to help them much, according to his lawyers.

Goggin insisted his client hadn’t been talking or texting on his phone before he made his 911 call. He also discounted the possibility of the engineer taking drugs or alcohol.

Of course the many victims of this terrible crash may be skeptical about the defense lawyer’s claims. The families of the dead and the injured deserve answers and lawsuits are likely to be filed against Amtrak whether human or mechanical error was to blame for the crash.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter has labelled the engineer “reckless,” drawing criticism from investigators who say they are still examining the causes of the crash.

The Amtrak train which was on time on its trip Washington to New York, had 238 passengers and five crew members in board when it derailed at about 9:30 p.m.

Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman said in the aftermath of the crash, the agency expects to have limited service from New York to Philadelphia by Monday with the possibility of full service Tuesday.

He pledged to have Positive Train Control, which may have prevented the accident, installed in the entire Northeast Corridor by year’s end.

If you have been injured in the Amtrak crash or if you have lost a loved one, you should consider consulting a personal injury lawyer. Call Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers at 757.455.0077 and see our information about train passenger accidents.