(KMJ) – Los Angeles-area law enforcement say an engineer deliberately ran a train off the tracks at high speed near the Port of Los Angeles. And, they say he did so in an attempt to crash into the USNS Mercy hospital ship.
The Pacific Harbor Line train derailed Tuesday, running through the end of the track and crashing through barriers, finally coming to rest about 250 yards from the docked naval ship.
Federal prosecutors allege train engineer Eduardo Moreno intended to hit the ship, saying he thought it was “suspicious” and did not believe “the ship is what they say it’s for.’”
No one was injured in the derailment, but the train leaked fuel that required a hazmat response.
Moreno has now been charged with one count of train wrecking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
