27/07/2024
639 times read
27/07/2024
639 times read
NEW YORK, July 27: A teenager has been charged with two felonies this week for allegedly derailing trains in Nebraska to film "insane" footage for his YouTube channel.
The 17-year-old, whose identity has not been disclosed due to his age, posted a 5-minute video of the April 21 derailment in Bennet, labeling it the "MOST INSANE VIDEO I’VE EVER TAKEN!” In the video, he can be heard exclaiming, “Oh my God! Oh my frickin’ God!” as he recorded two locomotives and five fully loaded railcars coming off the tracks but remaining upright after colliding with an empty railcar. The incident caused $350,000 in damage.
The charges come after a search warrant was executed earlier this month, allowing investigators to search the teenager's camera and phone. Following the accident, which fortunately resulted in no injuries, the teenager was the first to report the derailment and even approached an investigator at the scene to show him the footage.
According to KOLN, the teenager was charged Wednesday with two counts of criminal mischief causing damage worth more than $5,000, both felonies. If convicted, he faces penalties including a $15,000 fine and up to seven years in prison for each count.
A train conductor informed investigators that as his train approached a crossing, he noticed a misaligned switch and attempted an emergency stop, but was unable to halt before reaching the spot where the switch should have been. An investigator discovered that a padlock supposed to secure the switch was missing, indicating possible tampering.
The teenager denied trespassing and tampering with the switch, but the investigator noted he was knowledgeable about the switch’s location and operation. Surveillance footage from the area showed a vehicle and a lone driver traveling around the vicinity just before the derailment. The video revealed a beige 1996 Buick Park Avenue, and the 17-year-old was seen walking on the south side of the tracks towards the switch.
A motion has been filed to move the case from juvenile court to county court.