MBTA RIDE

A preliminary investigation conducted by Transit Police detectives suggest the following:

 On September 6, 2023 at approximately 3:30PM an on duty MBTA RIDE operator in the vicinity 2 Elm Street, Woburn, Massachusetts parked the RIDE vehicle. The vehicle had a single adult female passenger/client located within. The operator exited the vehicle and during this time the adult female passenger/client remained seated within the vehicle. TPD detectives believe the operator left the keys in the ignition. At this time a 34 year old male entered the vehicle and drove away. The SP male headed in the direction of Boston. The female passenger, who has intellectual challenges, began calling 911 seeking help/assistance. 

 Massachusetts State Police Troopers notified of the 911 calls as well as the vehicle's general vicinity immediately responded to the area and ultimately observed the RIDE vehicle had crashed into several other vehicles and the tunnel wall. The SP male exited the vehicle and fled in the vicinity of Clinton Street/Surface Road Boston. Multiple TPD and MSP units conducted an area search for the SP where MSP Troopers located the SP in the aforementioned vicinity. He was placed into custody and transported to TPD HQ.

The female passenger sustained non life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for emergency care.

Approximately 3 additional vehicles sustained damage as a result of the incident.

No other injuries reported at this time.

This incident remains an ongoing and active investigation.

media inquiries should be directed to Superintendent Sullivan at rsullivan@mbta.com