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City man driver in T crash
Saturday, May 9, 2009 6:28 PM EDT




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City man driver in T crash

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ATTLEBORO - A 24-year-old Attleboro man was the driver of an MBTA trolley that struck another train Friday night in Boston, sending 46 people to the hospital, according to numerous news reports.

Aiden Quinn was the driver of a Green Line MBTA train that struck another train between the Government Center and Park Street stations Friday night, the Boston Globe reported on its Web site Saturday night, citing a source in the MBTA.

MBTA General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas has said the driver was sending a text message on his cell phone and did not hit the brakes quickly enough.

About 100 people were on the two trains at the time of the collision and at least 46 were taken to area hospitals, according to news reports.

According to the Globe, MBTA payroll records name Quinn as a "streetcar motorperson" who earned $30,006 in 2008. A phone listing for Quinn was not available.

The Sun Chronicle is following the story and will have a full report on this Web site later tonight and in Sunday's print edition.
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publius wrote on May 10, 2009 9:16 PM:

" The commenter called My Thoughts seems to be advocating for a ban.

So if My Thoughts or one of his children or maybe his wife or mother comes driving through my town and breaks down and needs to use a phone, I will refer them to the pay phone. "

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tank916 wrote on May 10, 2009 8:29 PM:

" What if he had been using some rider's cell phone. Would a new law help in that case? "

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reason wrote on May 10, 2009 1:34 PM:

" publius, I too don't see anyone calling for a total ban on what public employees using cell phones. Besides the some people who ignore the current ban on cell phone use would most likely ignore the ban of cell phone possession. I'd have just as big an issue with a cop text messaging while driving as I would with a subway conductor or private citizen. I don't see why all states have not adopted hands free cell use and no text messaging laws.

After watching an interview this morning with a union representative I don't get the idea he has much support from the union. "

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Hojo20 wrote on May 10, 2009 12:41 PM:

" You are a disgrace, Mr. Quinn. "

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anavoter wrote on May 10, 2009 11:12 AM:

" Simply put he should be fired, but with his union protection I am sure he will get off with a slap on the wrist. "

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butts wrote on May 10, 2009 10:10 AM:

" I can't believe it took them this long to take this action. Some people have no common sense on the proper time and place to use cell phones. "

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rick wrote on May 10, 2009 10:10 AM:

" Publius, I don't think they're talking about ALL public employees, but certainly those who are responsible for transporting the public should be banned from texting while on duty (this also goes for private sector employees who transport people). Texting while driving should be punishable the same way a DUI is because it's just as dangerous. "

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rick wrote on May 10, 2009 10:03 AM:

" The knucklehead should be fired, period. They should institute a zero-tolerance cel phone ban for all T/Bus/Train operators with frequent random checks. If you're caught with a cel phone in your possession while you're on duty, you're fired - period, no exceptions. That being said, did the Sun Chronicle need to publish his address including apartment number? Seems a bit gratuitous. "

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publius wrote on May 10, 2009 9:48 AM:

" Why only ban public employees from using the cell phone. Why not all workers, public and private? Oh, wait, we only want to treat our public employees like crap.

It's amazing that some of you advocate for treating public employees in ways you would never want yourself to be treated. Like you don't ever use your cell phone at work?

The T driver should e fired. This is reckeless conduct. But who says he is allowed to text while working? I would imagine this is not permitted and he violated a riule, and will be disciplined. If not then the T is screwed.

I am a cop, and I use my phone while on duty. Quite frankly the cities and towns should be happy to have us use our phones because most of the time we use them for work related issues. business. Yes, I get the occasional call from my wife or children, but quite franlly it is a freebie for taxpayers. "

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MyThoughts wrote on May 10, 2009 8:19 AM:

" Can other public workers be added to this list, please? I can't count how many times I've seen a cop, for instance, chatting away on a cellphone, instead of paying attention to his/her current duty (driving, flagging, etc). There are so many public workers wasting taxpayers' dollars and putting lives at risk by having their priorities vastly out of line. What in the world did we all do before cellphones? "

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realist wrote on May 10, 2009 1:12 AM:

" The victims will sue the T and the company that was allowed to put cell service in the subways.

Don't count on him being fired. The T is a surreal place where the unions run things to benefit the T employees and not the riders.
No one died and if it isn't against work rules to text then they probably can't fire him. I hope on wrong. "

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sunfan wrote on May 10, 2009 12:44 AM:

" Tell me WHY drivers are allowed to text message while working?!!!! Doubtless Mr. Quinn will (and should be) fired, but will he also be paying all the medical bills and time lost for all 46 people? "

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