Operator Terminated Following Repeat Safety Violations
PORTLAND, Ore. — The MAX light rail operator involved in a 2023 crash with a Portland Streetcar was fired in July 2024 after again violating TriMet safety protocols, according to investigative documents released by the agency.
The operator, James Frick, had already undergone retraining following the November 2023 collision but repeated the same critical safety error months later. TriMet officials said the second incident demonstrated that Frick could not safely operate a light rail vehicle.
The 2023 Collision
The crash occurred around 10 a.m. on November 15, 2023, near NE 7th Avenue and Holladay Street. Investigations revealed that Frick moved the MAX train forward just before receiving a green signal, leading to a collision with an oncoming Portland Streetcar.
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Streetcar operator Bomani Bolivar was trapped in the cab as a result of the crash and sustained a foot injury. Emergency responders pulled him from the vehicle and transported him for treatment. Both the MAX train and the Streetcar suffered significant damage and had to be towed from the scene.
Photographs from the day of the incident showed the crumpled front ends of both vehicles and emergency crews assessing the damage along the busy intersection.
Disciplinary Action and Retraining
Following the 2023 crash, TriMet suspended Frick for five days and required him to retake Initial Operator Training (IOT), a comprehensive safety course for new and returning operators. He completed the program in April 2024, after which he returned to regular service.
However, TriMet’s internal reports show that Frick again moved a MAX train without a permissive signal, the same rule violation that caused the original crash.
In a disciplinary document, TriMet officials wrote:
“By violating the same rail rules that you violated during your November 2023 severe rail rule violation, even after retaking IOT, you have demonstrated that you cannot safely operate a light rail vehicle.”
The repeated infraction left the agency with no choice but to terminate his employment. Frick’s last day with TriMet was July 19, 2024.
Safety Concerns and Agency Response
The incident has raised renewed questions about TriMet’s safety and oversight practices. The agency operates one of the largest light rail systems in the Pacific Northwest, carrying tens of thousands of passengers daily. Officials say the dismissal underscores their commitment to enforcing safety standards and protecting both employees and the public.
While TriMet did not report any passengers seriously injured in the 2023 collision, the crash caused significant service disruptions and highlighted the critical importance of adherence to rail signaling systems.
