Teen: Video Shows Metro
Operator Asleep

FOX 5 Exclusive: Train Operator
Caught on Tape

Updated: Wednesday, 08 Jul 2009, 11:26 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 08 Jul 2009, 9:55 PM EDT

• Will Thomas 
• By WILL THOMAS/myfoxdc

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A 14-year-old Metro passenger captured stunning footage on the Green Line in Maryland. Gregory Thomas said he was riding the line June 18 and witnessed the train operator asleep at the controls.

With his mother's permission, Gregory spoke exclusively with FOX 5's Will Thomas. 

"At first he's dozing off then, he's not in a full sleep. I see him start to doze off and his head going limp," Thomas said. 

FOX 5 provided Metro officials with the video clip and they confirm the incident is already under review and it is still not clear exactly what the operator was doing. The teenager sent his video to Metro's Customer Service Department June 23, the day after the deadly Red Line Metro crash. Thomas said it was a wake up call. 

"They need to review their drivers and give them better training," Thomas told FOX 5. 

Metro spokesman Steven Taubenkibel commended the teen and encouraged other passengers to come forward as well. 

"We want to know exactly what's going on. If people see something they don't feel is safe please let us know," Taubenkibel said. 

This exclusive footage surfaces in the same week another passenger's video made headlines. In the other case, a train operator was disciplined after the footage showed him texting while his train was speeding along the Blue Line tracks June 5. Metro said the operator confessed.