Metrolink crash in Glendale

[jdramj]

An employee in my husband's office was one of the people on the train...no one has heard from her directly, but they understand that she was one of the many who were hospitalized.

It is a very sad situation. I don't know that I can pass judgement on this person. I too understand what mental issues can do to a person and that regardless of the horrific outcome the person is truely just not equipped mentally to think their actions thru and what the consequneces could be.

That being said, I don't think a defense will have much luck here, because his actions in trying to get the SUV off the tracks will show that he had a minimal mental capacity to know at some point in all of this, that what he was doing was wrong.

[lizziebith]

Or, the guy just wanted to save his Jeep. I doubt he was really thinking clearly.

I'm truly sorry people were injured and killed, but a murder charge seems ridiculous to me! Think back on how many news spots you've seen about train. v. automobile incidents...Usually, the score is Train:1, Car:0. I'm sure the guy had THOSE stats in mind when he considered this form of suicide. It was an anomoly that the Jeep was positioned in such a way as to cause such damage -- investigators have already said as much. Sooo, in my opinion, manslaughter - yes, murder w/ special circumstance - no.

[LashStoat]

Originally Posted by jdramj

That being said, I don't think a defense will have much luck here, because his actions in trying to get the SUV off the tracks will show that he had a minimal mental capacity to know at some point in all of this, that what he was doing was wrong.

Dear All,

This thread has really choked me up...we've had similar accidents here in Oz - the most disasterous being the collapse of a concrete bridge onto a peak hour commuter train in Granville. Folks place 100's of roses on the tracks each year in memory.

I agree with JDRamJ in respect that the guy in your case knew to (try to) take the vehicle off the tracks*...which strongly suggests a degree of mental capacity, and will most likely be charged accordingly. A fat lot of good that'll do the families - but at least he won't be able to hurt anyone else.

Love and hugs,

The Stoat XXX.

*GD - with reference to Jeep using the incident to promote vehicle sales: What sort of RV can't navigate its way off a simple railway line? Did it have four flat tyres, a busted axle and a stripped gearbox??? Or did the dude panic and try to move it whilst in neutral...