Los Angeles Times | February 27, 2009 | 7:48 p.m. PT --- Engineer in fatal Metrolink crash let teens ride in cab, sources say Federal investigators have cellphone text messages indicating that the engineer blamed for last fall's Metrolink rail disaster in Chatsworth sometimes allowed teenagers to ride with him in the cabs of locomotives while carrying passengers, The Times has learned There is no evidence that any teenagers, described by sources as rail enthusiasts, rode the commuter rail with engineer Robert M. Sanchez on the day of the accident last Sept. 12. But unauthorized ride-alongs are considered a serious violation of safety regulations and could create dangerous distractions. The disclosures are certain to intensify questions about the oversight of Metrolink crews, which has been a key focus of inquiry in the wake of the collision that killed 25 people and injured 135 more. More soon at: http://link.latimes.com/r/S462P8/EEEMF/BYW7UT/MGZ1/V164BP/AZ/t
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