Spanish Train Driver “on Phone and Reading” At Time of Fatal Crash
The driver of the train that collided into a wall last Wednesday in Spain, killing 79 people, was on the phone and reading a document at the time of the impact. The train swerved off the track while it was traveling at 95 miles per hour, which is nearly twice the 50 mph speed limit. The train's driver had previously bragged on Facebook about speeding the train up to 120 mph.
Investigators reported that the driver, Francisco Jose Garzon, was on the phone with the Spanish rail company, Renfe, and looking at the paper document at the time of the crash. Garzon is charged with negligent homicide. He hit the brakes only a few seconds before the crash.
There are currently 66 people in the hospital due to the collision, with fifteen in critical condition.