A fire truck driver-engineer has been fired months after a high-speed train crashed into a fire truck on the tracks in Delray Beach.
A fire truck driver-engineer has been fired months after a high-speed train crashed into a fire truck on the tracks in Delray Beach.
The City of Delray Beach has fired David Wyatt as a result of the investigation into the Dec. 28 crash that left 15 injured.
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WATCH HERE"The train collision on December 28 was more than a traffic incident. It was a moment that tested the integrity of our public safety systems and shook the confidence of the community we serve," City Manager Terrence R. Moore said in a statement Thursday. "From the outset, I understood the gravity of what occurred — not only in terms of the immediate damage but in how it could undermine our residents' faith in the men and women entrusted with protecting them."
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Wyatt was one of the four firefighters inside the engine that was caught on video driving around rail crossing arms with its lights flashing and onto the tracks around 10:45 a.m. in crowded downtown Delray Beach.
After driving into the path of the Brightline train, it caused a crash, which left three firefighters and 12 train passengers hurt.
"I believe in fairness, due process, and accountability. And while I acknowledge that everyone is capable of making a mistake, this incident revealed a pattern of carelessness and poor judgment that went beyond an isolated error," Moore said. "These actions – taken by an individual in a public safety position — placed lives at risk, compromised our operational readiness, and violated the principles of professionalism that our residents expect and deserve from public servants.
