By Mason Leaver
A disaster occurred on the tracks of the 14th Street A train stop on September 20. At around 8:15 AM, a man identified as Demetrius Harvard was seen throwing debris onto the subway track, in an apparent attempt to sabotage the arriving “A” train. Upon arriving at the station and coming into contact with the debris, the front two wheels of the train derailed. Additionally, the train had leaned off of the tracks, with the side of the train against the side of the tunnel and platform, causing extensive damage to both the car and the station.
Fortunately, train workers were able to safely and rapidly evacuate all 135 passengers onboard the train. However, the damage from the sabotage affected more than just one singular train. The MTA announced shortly after the incident that all four tracks in the station had lost power, and the station remained closed for the rest of the day. The timing of the incident was also extremely unfortunate, as it occurred on a Sunday and service needed to be up and running normally again in time for the Monday morning commuters, or else the MTA risked a disastrous rush hour. As a result of the train being stuck in the station, the A train behind it was forced to remain in the tunnel for more than an hour as a result of both the blocked tunnel and the power outage. Passengers were stranded until eventually being helped to exit by MTA workers.
Harvard, 30 years old, attempted to flee the scene but was tackled and apprehended by Rikien Wilder, a citizen and regular commuter who witnessed the event unfold. As a result of Wilder’s efforts, Harvard was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, assault, and criminal trespassing. Harvard’s bail was set at $100,000. Mr. Wilder, as a result of his act of bravery and service, was awarded free rides on the New York City subways and buses for a year by the MTA.
Additional charges were levied against Harvard, after findings that he was responsible for several acts of vandalism to the Subways, as well as the smashing of several windows of the “7” train some weeks earlier.
Remarkably, no one was injured by the derailment or subsequent power outage. However, damages were estimated to cost the MTA upwards of $90,000 as a result of the damage done to both the train and the 14th Street A/C/E station.