Wilmington Officials Continue To Demand Action Over MBTA Crash

WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington officials continued to call for action Monday in the wake of Friday's MBTA commuter rail-on-car crash that killed a local woman.

Town and state officials spoke at the Board of Selectmen meeting Monday evening, calling on MBTA and its commuter rail contractor, Keolis, to have personnel stationed at the site of the crash this week, according to multiple reports.

Roberta Sausville Devine, 68 of Wilmington, was killed in the crash Friday. Officials said "human error" is the primary focus of the investigation, after the crossing gates apparently did not come down as the commuter train approached the station.

The Keolis employee who had been performing maintenance work shortly before the crash has been placed on administrative leave, Keolis confirmed.

Town and state officials have been calling for answers and action since shortly after the crash, with the Board of Selectmen and the state legislative delegation both releasing statements Saturday.

Officials reiterated their demands for reassurance Monday evening, with the town asking MBTA to have a presence at the station every day this week, the Wilmington Apple reported. Officials said no one came after they requested a presence Monday, WHDH reported.

"Keolis and the MBTA have been working in close collaboration to address the concerns of local officials," Keolis said in a statement to Patch Tuesday. "Keolis and MBTA personnel were on scene over the weekend, performing multiple tests at the Middlesex Avenue crossing. In each instance, the safety system performed in the manner in which it was designed. Investigators found no defects nor any other problems with the various elements that comprise the infrastructure of the railroad crossing's safety system.

"Following the completion of their work, investigators will produce a final report on the cause of this accident, as well as a summary of what measures the MBTA and Keolis will take to avoid this situation ever occurring again. "

State Rep. Dave Robertson said he had previously seen the crossing gate fail to go down in June.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.