Parents push for MBTA safety inspection overhaul after son's death on rusted staircase
BOSTON — The parents of David Jones want the MBTA to overhaul how it does safety inspections, nearly two years after he died at the JFK/UMass station.
On September 11, 2021, the 40-year-old Boston University professor fell through a rusted out flight of stairs while on a run in Dorchester. State Police said the stairs were fenced off with danger signs. The staircase has since been removed from the station.
On Monday, his parents testified at a Transportation Committee hearing on proposed MBTA safety reforms.
Jones' mother, Debra Hingham, demanded the T do more to protect pedestrian safety, showing support for two bills that would create an independent safety oversight agency for the MBTA.
"You have a long list of notable events," said Hingham. "They're single-spaced, one-line – maybe two-line. It was really chilling to see my son's event on a five-page list."
The two bills come after federal reviews found that the T was not keeping up with safety reviews.
