Officials Investigating 'Human Error' In Wilmington Train Crash

WILMINGTON, MA — "Human error" is the primary focus of the investigation into the Wilmington train crash that killed a resident Friday, according to a statement released Saturday by MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak.

Roberta Sausville, 68 of Wilmington, was killed when her car was hit by a Boston-bound Haverhill Line train near the North Wilmington MBTA Station Friday night, officials confirmed earlier Saturday.

Sausville was pronounced dead at the scene with no other injuries reported.

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Shortly before the crash, Poftak said, an employee of Keolis Commuter Services, the MBTA's commuter rail operator, was performing maintenance and testing of the crossing's safety system, according to multiple reports.

"Following the testing, our preliminary finding is that the safety system was not returned to its normal operating mode," the Boston Globe quoted him saying. "This failure resulted in the crossing gates not coming down in a timely manner as the train approached Middlesex Avenue."

The investigation is still in its preliminary stages, Poftak said. Once it is completed, a final report will be released on the crash and steps the agency will take to prevent it happening again.

The MBTA official also offered the agency's condolences to Sausville's family.

The Wilmington Board of Selectmen released a statement Saturday, offering condolences to Sausville's friends and family. According to the statement, safety features in place at the crossing did not activate prior to the crash.

"The Board will be demanding answers ... and assurances from the MBTA that procedures are in place to maintain operability of the crossing arms and lights at their rail crossing," the statement read.