The train driver blamed for the worst U.S. train crash in 15 years was sending and receiving text messages seconds before his crowded commuter train skipped a red light and collided head-on with a freight train, federal investigators said on Wednesday.

The Metrolink commuter train plowed into a Union Pacific freight locomotive on September 12 in Chatsworth, California, killing 25 people and injuring 135 in the worst train accident since 1993.

Cell phone records show Sanchez was sent a text message at 4:22:01 p.m., and received one at 4:21:03 p.m. The accident occurred at 4:22:23 p.m., according to Union Pacific train's onboard recorders.

He received seven and sent five text messages between 3:00 p.m. and the time of the accident.

Sanchez also received 21 text messages and sent 24 while he ran a train from 6:44 a.m. to 8:53 a.m.

said by Qoiz :

he is probably not a train operator anymore

said by TKJunkMail :

If you are riding in a car and the driver is texting, tell him/her to pull over, and then get out. That maniac is risking your life.

said by EPS :

A train operator was texting while operating a train? Seriously? What next, airline pilots? How stupid are people going to get?