Watch: US teen caused 'train derailment for views'

A 17-year-old boy was accused on Friday of intentionally causing a train derailment in Bennet, Nebraska, on April 21, to capture and post the incident on YouTube. After a BNSF Railway investigator secured a search warrant on July 8, authorities confiscated the teenager’s cell phone and 4k digital recorder in connection to the derailment that resulted in two locomotives and five rail cars going off the tracks, though they remained upright, according to a report by Metro UK.

According to a train conductor’s account to a BNSF special agent, the eastbound locomotive was nearing a crossing when he observed a misaligned switch diverting the train onto an industry track by a grain elevator. Despite efforts to initiate an emergency stop, the train crashed before reaching the switch. The investigator later discovered that a switch lock was missing, indicating tampering.

At the derailment scene, a 17-year-old approached and inquired about the incident, claiming to have recorded the crash on his mobile phone, as detailed in the affidavit. When officials said they were unsure of the cause, the boy responded, "Obviously a switch was flipped the wrong way," according to court records obtained by KOLN.

Three days post-crash, a BNSF investigator reviewed CCTV footage revealing a 1996 Buick Park Avenue in the vicinity, with the same teen walking toward the switch on the south end of the tracks. The footage then captured the teen returning to his vehicle. Further CCTV evidence showed the teen driving south on Monroe Street, parking, and setting up a tripod, suggesting he was preparing to record the derailment.

Shortly afterward, the derailment was recorded, and a video was uploaded to a YouTube account potentially linked to the teen, as noted by the investigator.

The teen is accused of criminal mischief causing damages over $5,000 pursuant to a search warrant. However, formal charges had not been filed immediately. Due to his juvenile status, the teen's identity has not been disclosed, and he is not in detention.

"My office will file a motion to transfer the case to adult court and it will be up to the juvenile court Judge to transfer the case or have it remain in juvenile court," Lancaster County Attorney Patrick Condon told McClatchy News.

The incident resulted in approximately $350,000 in damages to BNSF and Omaha Public Power District property.