MTA Safety Stand-Down
MTA Construction Flagger Fatally Struck by Southbound Train in the Bronx
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Key Points
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TWU Local 100 said workers on the train and in the work area were reportedly following procedures, but the D train had been cleared to proceed before McCullum was struck, leaving the specific communication failure unresolved.
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TWU Local 100 President John Chiarello said the train crew involved could be “traumatized for the rest of their lives” by the incident, calling it an “absolute nightmare.”
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McCullum’s position as a conductor included construction-flagging duties, according to officials; the role required her to flag the work area for both workers and train crews.
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The NYPD said McCullum was pronounced dead at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln and that no criminality was suspected in the death.
An MTA construction flagger was struck and killed by a southbound D train near the 161st Street-Yankee Stadium station in the Bronx around 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Moet McCullum, 41, was setting up lights and warning crews about workers in an active track zone when she was hit. NBC New York reported that McCullum had worked for the MTA for about 11 months and leaves behind three children.
The circumstances of her death remain unclear, with preliminary accounts pointing to a possible breakdown in communication between the train crew and workers on the tracks. The National Transportation Safety Board, MTA, NYPD, and TWU Local 100 are investigating. CBS News reported that no criminality was suspected. The incident follows earlier fatalities and injuries involving MTA track workers.
Communication Failure Before Impact
The D train had been cleared to proceed before McCullum was struck, leaving the exact sequence of events unresolved. NBC New York reported that workers on both the train and in the work zone were reportedly following procedures. But the train was moving into the flagged work area where McCullum was stationed, suggesting a breakdown in the warning system.
McCullum's role required her to flag the work area for both workers and train crews. The investigation will need to determine whether procedures, communications, and safeguards adequately separated trains from workers in the active zone.
TWU and MTA Response
The MTA instituted a 24-hour safety stand-down, pausing most non-emergency track work to allow time for review. CBS News reported that the agency plans to review flagging protocols and procedures. The pause signals that worker protection is temporarily prioritized over service continuity.
TWU Local 100 President John Chiarello called the incident an "absolute nightmare" and said the train crew involved could be "traumatized for the rest of their lives." The union is advocating for deeper examination of how the MTA protects workers in track zones.
Pattern of Risk Among Track Workers
McCullum's death is not isolated. NBC New York reported that a flagger named Hilarion Joseph was killed in 2023, and another flagger suffered serious injuries in 2024. These incidents reveal a systemic vulnerability: protection has depended on coordination between workers, train crews, and warnings rather than on physically preventing train movement into occupied areas.
McCullum's twin sister is also an MTA conductor, making her death significant within the agency's workforce. With three children and only 11 months of tenure, her loss raises questions about training, support, and whether hazardous work is adequately protected. The tragedy can affect employees' trust in safety systems and retention in difficult-to-staff roles.
Investigation Underway Across Multiple Agencies
The National Transportation Safety Board, MTA, NYPD, and TWU Local 100 are coordinating the investigation. CBS News reported that McCullum was pronounced dead at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. Officials are examining track warnings, train movement protocols, and communications systems.
The 24-hour stand-down provides a window to surface unsafe practices that routine operations may normalize. For lasting improvement, findings must be converted into enforceable controls and verified implementation across the MTA's track workforce.
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