In Aftermath of Deadly Derailment, Officials Work To Clarify Legal Jurisdictions
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The investigation into exactly what caused the tragic Amtrak derailment in Frankford is just beginning, but there are a lot of questions about which agencies would handle and prosecute possible criminal charges.
There is still a lot of unknown information surrounding Tuesday's deadly derailment. But one fact stands out: the train was apparently going more than twice the recommended speed when it jumped the tracks.
Now the question is, why?
"It could possibly be mechanical error, it could be human error, or it could be criminal responsibility because of human behavior," notes Philadelphia DA Seth Williams, whose office is part of the investigation team.
Williams says once the initial probe is complete, they'll determine whether criminal charges should be filed and who will prosecute.
"The United States attorney's office could have original jurisdiction," he tells KYW Newsradio, "and if we all determine that it's criminal, we could also have original jurisdiction."
Bob Meyers, whose law firm represents at least one of the passengers injured in the derailment, says he is expecting a long wait and involvement by officials on the local, state, and federal levels.
"There's always a broad-based beginning to the investigation until they make a determination into what actually happened and who was responsible," he notes.
He says that determining passenger claims will likely be federal, and far down the road.