The operator of the Washington, D.C. transit train that plowed into another on June 22, killing nine people, was a devoted mom to a college-age son. Despite recent financial struggles and long hours, Jeanice McMillan, 42, reportedly loved her job."If she could have stopped the train, she would have done everything in her power," said Joanne Harrison, a neighbor at McMillan's apartment building in Springfield, Va.
SOURCE: AP
Neighbors also described her as "humble," and willing to go out of her way to help others.
Leeza Kanwal, said the train operator would go out of her way to help others, such as helping Kanwal carry groceries and tote laundry while Kanwal was pregnant."I've seen her come home from work and be really tired and see that I needed help," Kanwal said. "I wouldn't do that after a 10-hour shift at work."
SOURCE: AP
The Buffalo, N.Y., native, moved to the D.C. area about a dozen years ago, according to her family. She worked for the U.S. Postal Service for several years before joining the Metropolitan Washington Area Transit Authority in 2007 as a bus driver. She became a train operator in March.
McMillan left behind a 19-year-old son Jordan, who family members say attends Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va.
Investigators were looking into why a computerized system failed to halt the Washington Metrorail train and why other safeguards, including a manual emergency brake, did not work. The National Transportation Safety Board reports that the emergency brake was pushed down in the operator's compartment. However, the NTSB also said today that the train was part of an older series that should have been retired due to safety concerns.
In addition to the fatalities, at least 70 people were injured in the crash. It is the worst accident in the 33-year history of D.C.'s Metro system.
Comments: (6)
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By: James Hill on 6/23/2009 8:58PM
Its really a shame that this lady died doing her job correctly. That train should not have been in service according to the NTSB, so WHO is at fault?
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By: Kimberly on 6/24/2009 2:32PM
My heart goes out to her family. I am from the DC metro area and use to catch the train to and from work. I cant imagine being in that situation.
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By: Mike on 6/26/2009 4:43PM
It is a shame that this thing happened due to the system putting money ahead of the safety of so many people.
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By: amber gross on 6/27/2009 5:18AM
I AM ALSO BORN AND RAISED IN DC ,INSTEAD OF METRO STOPPING OUR BUS TRANSFERS THEY NEED TO INVEST IN OPERATING THE RAIL SYSTEM PROPERLY.ITS A SHAME THAT IF YOU DONT HAVE A SMART TRIP OR FLASH PASS YOU CANT CATCH THE BUS .THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE THAT HAVE DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS AND OTHER APPOINTMENTS THAT THEY JUST CANT GET TO BECAUSE OF NO MONEY.AT LEAST WHEN METRO DID GIVE OUT TRANSFERS ,WE WERE ABLE TO CHANGE BUSES WITHOUT PAYING EXTRA .ITS HARD OUT HERE.METRO REALLY NEEDS TO GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER.MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE TRAIN OPERATOR ,HER SON AND HER FAMILY.MY HEART ALSO GOES OUT TO THE OTHERS THAT WAS HURT IN THIS TRAIN ACCIDENT,ITS A SHAME.METRO NEEDS TO BE SO SUED.METRO GIVE US POOR PEOPLE A WAY TO GET AROUND A CITY THAT WE PAY TAXES IN.STOP BEING SO HARD ON THE PASSENGERS AND BE HARD ON THE ONES THATS NOT DOING THEIR JOBS RIGHT.FROM AMBER FROM S.E. WASHINGTON DC
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By: barbara jenkins on 6/28/2009 10:09AM
i feel sooooooo sorry for the operators son. it is a shame how it seems the dc metro knew the train was old and had operational problems but still used those trains. i am from philly an i give praises to our septa system for their continued safety and professionalism on our metro system. god bless all the people killed and injured on those trains.
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By: Dora on 6/28/2009 12:50PM
Another life lost because the safety inspection went, well lets say who was paid to look the other way
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