DC rail conductor arrested after allegedly operating train while intoxicated

A rail operator for the Washington, D.C., metro area transit system has been arrested for allegedly being under the influence of alcohol while operating a train, blowing past a stop and continuing for about 30 minutes before passengers could exit, according authorities.

The incident occurred Dec. 23 and was made public in several news reports this week.

The unidentified operator was also reportedly unresponsive to Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority's control center for about 45 minutes. 

Officials at the center tried to reach the train operator at roughly 10:44 p.m., 12 minutes after the train missed the stop in suburban Virginia.

“On Friday evening, December 23, following a report of a Blue Line train bypassing Van Dorn Station and coming to a stop for more than 30 minutes before safely discharging customers at Franconia-Springfield Station, Metro officials and emergency responders found a train operator under the influence of alcohol," a metro spokesperson told the blog site Greater Greater Washington.

The Metrorail operator will not be returning to his job, the spokesperson also said. "He will not be allowed to return to work per Metro’s rules, which strictly enforce drug and alcohol policies. Metro performs random testing in accordance with FTA requirements and is in compliance with all FTA drug and alcohol regulations."