Keron Thomas
Encyclopedia
Keron Thomas is primarily known for posing as New York City subway
motorman
"Regoberto Sabio" on May 8, 1993 and operating an A
train in revenue service for over three hours. He was sixteen years old.
Thomas signed in to the 207th Street Yard in Manhattan and proceeded to operate the train that originated at the 207th Street station. Thomas's actions went unnoticed by the passengers on board the R44
-type train, who were safely picked up and discharged at normal station stops along the route. He completed the trip to the Lefferts Boulevard station in Queens and almost made the full round-trip. However, Thomas operated the train too quickly rounding a curve in Washington Heights
, just a few stops from completing his route. This tripped the train's emergency brake
s (BIE, "Brakes in Emergency") and Thomas was unable to reset them.
The full scope of Thomas's actions was discovered after he was taken to the New York City Transit Authority
(NYCTA) headquarters for drug and alcohol testing, a standard policy after motormen are caught speeding. Despite his actions, Thomas came to be seen by some as something of a folk hero and, as a consequence, was spared jail time. The New York Times
reported: "Duty-bound to make it clear that people may not play subway motorman whenever they like but wary of punishing a folk heroand a mere boy, at thatlaw-enforcement officials settled yesterday on three years' probation for the 16-year-old who took the controls of a subway train for three and a half hours in May."
In 1994, aged eighteen, Thomas was charged with attempted murder after being accused of stabbing another teenager in a dispute over a dice game. As a result, the probation
he had received for commandeering the subway train was extended.
Subsequently, Thomas became an electrician rather than a subway motorman because it provided a bigger income.
New York City Subway
The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and leased to the New York City Transit Authority, a subsidiary agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and also known as MTA New York City Transit...
motorman
Motorman
A motorman is the person who operates an electrified trolley car, tram, light rail, or rapid transit train.The term refers to the person who is in charge of the motor in the same sense as a railroad engineer is in charge of the engine. The term was gender-neutral...
"Regoberto Sabio" on May 8, 1993 and operating an A
A (New York City Subway service)
The A Eighth Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. Its route bullet is colored blue on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map since it runs on the IND Eighth Avenue Line in Manhattan....
train in revenue service for over three hours. He was sixteen years old.
Thomas signed in to the 207th Street Yard in Manhattan and proceeded to operate the train that originated at the 207th Street station. Thomas's actions went unnoticed by the passengers on board the R44
R44 (New York City Subway car)
The R44 is a New York City Transit car model that debuted in 1971 and currently operates on the Staten Island Railway.-History:The R44 was the first 75-foot car for the New York City Subway. It was introduced for the B Division under the idea from New York City Transit that a train of eight cars...
-type train, who were safely picked up and discharged at normal station stops along the route. He completed the trip to the Lefferts Boulevard station in Queens and almost made the full round-trip. However, Thomas operated the train too quickly rounding a curve in Washington Heights
Washington Heights, Manhattan
Washington Heights is a New York City neighborhood in the northern reaches of the borough of Manhattan. It is named for Fort Washington, a fortification constructed at the highest point on Manhattan island by Continental Army troops during the American Revolutionary War, to defend the area from the...
, just a few stops from completing his route. This tripped the train's emergency brake
Emergency brake
On trains, the expression emergency brake has several meanings:* The maximum brake force available to the driver/engineer from his conventional braking system, usually operated by taking the brake handle to its furthest postion, through a gate mechanism, or by pushing a separate plunger in the cab*...
s (BIE, "Brakes in Emergency") and Thomas was unable to reset them.
The full scope of Thomas's actions was discovered after he was taken to the New York City Transit Authority
New York City Transit Authority
The New York City Transit Authority is a public authority in the U.S. state of New York that operates public transportation in New York City...
(NYCTA) headquarters for drug and alcohol testing, a standard policy after motormen are caught speeding. Despite his actions, Thomas came to be seen by some as something of a folk hero and, as a consequence, was spared jail time. The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
reported: "Duty-bound to make it clear that people may not play subway motorman whenever they like but wary of punishing a folk heroand a mere boy, at thatlaw-enforcement officials settled yesterday on three years' probation for the 16-year-old who took the controls of a subway train for three and a half hours in May."
In 1994, aged eighteen, Thomas was charged with attempted murder after being accused of stabbing another teenager in a dispute over a dice game. As a result, the probation
Probation
Probation literally means testing of behaviour or abilities. In a legal sense, an offender on probation is ordered to follow certain conditions set forth by the court, often under the supervision of a probation officer...
he had received for commandeering the subway train was extended.
Subsequently, Thomas became an electrician rather than a subway motorman because it provided a bigger income.