A shocking incident aboard a San Francisco light-rail train has sparked widespread concern after surveillance footage allegedly showed the driver falling asleep at the controls while the vehicle sped through the Sunset Tunnel.
Driver caught on camera dozing off
According to reports, the woman operating the train — who was seen wearing large false eyelashes — appeared to struggle to stay awake during the journey. CCTV footage captured her head tipping back and eyes drooping as the train gained speed inside the dark tunnel.
Despite carrying dozens of passengers, the train continued to accelerate to nearly 50 miles per hour, well above the safe limit for that stretch of track.
Passengers thrown as train jolts violently
As the train exited the tunnel into daylight, it suddenly jolted, throwing riders and the driver against the compartment walls. Witnesses reported panic and confusion as the train came to a halt moments later. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported, though several passengers were left shaken by the experience.
Investigation underway
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has reportedly launched an internal investigation into the matter. The driver has been temporarily suspended pending a full review of the incident and the vehicle’s data logs.
Authorities are also examining whether fatigue or negligence contributed to the near-accident and whether the driver violated safety or rest regulations.
Public outrage and safety concerns
The incident has triggered public outrage, with commuters demanding stricter safety checks and health monitoring for train operators. Social media users questioned how such lapses could occur in one of the country’s busiest urban transit systems.
Transportation safety experts have reiterated that driver alertness is critical to preventing accidents and that even brief lapses in concentration can have catastrophic consequences.