Dash Cam Video Released In Streetcar Crash

[gtxvideo vid=”Vu3eVfNX” playlist=”” pid=”Bbt3TRDe” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/Vu3eVfNX.jpg” vtitle=”streetcar dashcam”]

CHARLOTTE, NC — Newly released video proves a streetcar driver is to blame for a crash on the City Lynx Gold Line over the weekend.

Video shows the streetcar, which opened last week, roll about a half mile before rear-ending an SUV On Elizabeth Avenue.

Charlotte transportation officials say the driver did not activate the right controls, so the emergency brake wouldn’t work.  We’re also told he didn’t follow instructions to use a secondary brake.

“We do not believe there was any type of mechanical failure with the breaks.  In viewing the timeline and the video, we think we’ve determined a sequence of events by which the operator did not have control of the cabin,” said CATS Interim CEO John Muth.

The streetcar driver is a 26-year CATS veteran.  He is on paid administrative leave.