Photo: Getty Images
WILMINGTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Both State and Local lawmakers are calling for the MBTA and Keolis to take more accountability after a commuter rail crash killed a woman last Friday.
Roberta Sausville was driving on the eastbound side of Middlesex Avenue in Wilmington when her car was struck by a commuter rail train as she tried to cross a railroad crossing. The crash sent her car flying back and she was eventually declared dead at the scene.
The MBTA said "human error" was the focus of their investigation after a worker had reportedly had been performing routine maintenance on the railroad crossing safety system and forgot to return the system to its normal operating mode, according to WBZ TV. The Keolis worker who performed the maintenance has since been placed on administrative leave.
Read More: State Senate President Spilka Optimistic State House Can Reopen Next Month
In response to this incident, local lawmakers at the town and state level are calling for more action from the MBTA and Keolis to do more to help the community. Wilmington Selectman Gary DePalma wants them both to provide extra personnel in the area to make sure drivers feel safe driving by the railroad crossing.
"The MBTA and Keolis have some explaining to do as to why they couldn't bring someone in there and let them sit there for a few days and as you're driving by, knowing that something just happened, you're not in fear," DePalma said.
State Sen. Bruce Tarr and State Reps. David Robertson and Kenneth Gordon also called on the MBTA and Keolis to make more of an effort to help ease fears in the community. The MBTA is still investigating the incident.
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasNews) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App