Crime
Union Pacific Employee Arrested for Operating Train Under the Influence
Wyoming authorities have arrested a Union Pacific Railroad employee on suspicion of operating a locomotive while under the influence of a controlled substance, officials confirmed Saturday.
The arrest was made after railroad dispatch personnel flagged erratic behavior during a routine freight run through central Wyoming. Union Pacific police coordinated with the Wyoming Highway Patrol to stop and board the train at a siding.
The employee, whose name has not been released pending formal charges, was taken into custody without incident. A field sobriety assessment and subsequent testing indicated the presence of a controlled substance, according to law enforcement officials.
"Operating a train under the influence of any substance is extraordinarily dangerous," said Wyoming Highway Patrol Lieutenant Derek Sims. "A single freight locomotive weighs nearly 200 tons. We take these cases very seriously."
Union Pacific released a statement confirming the employee has been removed from service pending the outcome of the investigation. "Union Pacific has a zero-tolerance policy for drug and alcohol use by employees in safety-sensitive positions," the statement read. "We are cooperating fully with law enforcement."
Federal Railroad Administration regulations require random drug and alcohol testing for railroad employees in safety-sensitive roles. Violations can result in criminal charges, termination, and permanent disqualification from operating trains.
The incident is being investigated jointly by Union Pacific police and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. No injuries or property damage were reported.
The Federal Railroad Administration has been notified and may conduct its own review of the incident.
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