Metro-North Train Derailment: Investigation of the fatal crash

Following the catastrophic commuter train derailment and crash of the New York Metro-North commuter train on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, Motley Rice transportation and aviation attorney and former U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General Mary Schiavo has been invited to contribute to a number of national media outlets discussing the train crash.

Regarding the ongoing investigation, Mary told CNN on December 2 that "investigators should take a close look at the sharp curve." She added that "[the track] has been there forever, but the fact that we've had other accidents there means we have to look beyond just the fact that the train engineer said that brakes were not working. We have to see if there's additional issues concerning that track."

Tragically, four passengers died, many are critical and even more injured. The National Transportation Safety Board is analyzing data recorders and investigating the site to determine whether excessive speed, human error or mechanical issues contributed. The train was traveling 82 mph while approaching the curve in the rail line - 52 miles over the speed limit. The train was not equipped with positive train control, a technology by which the train and track communicate to prevent over-speeding and collisions. The federal government has required that all passenger trains have PTC by the end of 2015.

Learn more about the Metro-North commuter rail crash by reading and watching interviews:

CNN
Dec. 2, 2013
'Extreme speed' eyed in fatal Bronx crash