Trolley Operator Arraigned in July Crash
BOSTON, October 6, 2021— The MBTA Green Line trolley operator charged with causing a crash that sent multiple people to the hospital in July was arraigned today, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said.
OWEN TURNER appeared today in the Brighton Division of Boston Municipal Court for a summons arraignment on charges of negligence of a person having care of public conveyance and gross negligence in management of a train. Mr. Turner appeared in court today on a summons, satisfying prosecutors that he would likely appear at future dates without the imposition of monetary bail.
Prosecutors did not request monetary bail after Mr. Turner willfully appeared in court today on a summons, as the purpose of bail is to ensure an individual’s appearance in court. As a condition of his release on personal recognizance, Assistant District Attorney Kerry Feeney requested that Mr. Turner not operate any motor vehicle while the case against him is pending. Judge David Donnelly ordered that he only drive during daylight hours and for limited purposes related to certain familial obligations.
Mr. Turner is charged in connection with the July 30, 2021, incident in which the trolley he was operating crashed into the rear of another trolley on the MBTA’s B Line. In alleging Mr. Turner acted with gross negligence, prosecutors highlighted several factors that should have been obvious to Mr. Turner and that created the likelihood that his actions could cause serious injury or death. Despite being subject to prior disciplinary action for speeding, he was allegedly traveling at a speed of 31 miles per hour in a 10 mile per hour zone when he crashed into a slower-moving trolley in the area of Boston University. Evidence collected during the course of the investigation indicates that the train’s brakes were never applied prior to the crash. Additionally, as a trolley operator, Mr. Turner was aware that the vehicle had no passenger safety restraints that would protect passengers in the event of a crash, raising the likelihood that his unreasonably high speed could result in injuries to passengers on board the train.
“Everyone in Suffolk County deserves to be safe. As District Attorney - and former General Counsel of the MBTA - I believe that the Commonwealth has a duty to those who use and therefore entrust their safety to our public transit system. The events of July 30 violated that duty and trust. This was a preventable crash that put the safety and wellbeing of Green Line passengers and MBTA employees at risk,” District Attorney Rollins said. “I am keenly aware that this trolley crash, the death of Professor David K. Jones near JFK/UMass station, the malfunction at the Back Bay station injuring nine people and the recent derailment of a Red Line train have done nothing to instill confidence in the oversight and maintenance of our transit system. Work must be done to rebuild trust in our transit system. Particularly with those individuals who do not have the option of choosing to no longer use public transit and instead deciding to drive, walk, or bike as an alternate means of transportation. There are many reasons one could not use those alternate means – economic restrictions, physical mobility issues, or distance of the trip for example. The public loses when public transit isn’t available or safe. I have personally spoken with officials at the MBTA about this recent series of safety concerns and my office will remain in close contact as the investigations into these multiple incidents continue.”
Mr. Turner was represented at arraignment by Kelli Murray. He returns to court on December 8, 2021.
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe