MTA Flagger Moet McCullum Killed by D Train in Bronx; Family Demands Truth

Key points

• Moet McCullum, 41, was an MTA construction flagger and mother of three, killed by a D train near 161st Street-Yankee Stadium.
• The incident occurred just after 11:30 p.m. on Thursday; McCullum was working on the tracks between 167th and 161st Streets.
• McCullum had been employed by the MTA for only 11 months, usually working as a conductor but assigned to flagging duties on the day of the incident.
• The train operator reported not seeing the flagging lights, but family members claim he was warned of the construction project and proceeded at full speed.
• The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and MTA are investigating the crash; TWU Local 100 describes flagging as 'inherently dangerous work.'
• This is the second fatal flagger incident since 2023, following the 2023 death of Hilarion Joseph, also a flagger struck by a D train.

Background

This incident follows a 2024 Federal Transit Administration assessment that criticized MTA safety procedures and demanded improved oversight. In 2023, another MTA flagger, Hilarion Joseph, was killed by a D train while flagging for a track-cleaning crew. The MTA had previously pulled flaggers off tracks for retraining after a similar incident, but safety concerns persist.

How outlets are covering it

News 12 and The New York Times reported the basic facts of McCullum’s death, noting her role as a flagger and the MTA’s statement. The New York Daily News provided additional details from McCullum’s family, who demanded 'truth' and 'justice,' claiming the train operator was warned of the flaggers but proceeded at full speed. The Daily News also highlighted the family’s grief and McCullum’s recent transition from conductor to flagger duties. All sources agreed on the time and location of the incident, but the Daily News emphasized the family’s perspective on the operator’s actions, while News 12 and The New York Times focused on the official MTA response and investigation.

Why it matters

The death of Moet McCullum highlights ongoing safety concerns for MTA workers, particularly flaggers, who work in live service conditions. The incident has prompted multi-agency investigations and renewed scrutiny of MTA safety procedures, especially given a previous fatal flagger incident in 2023. The family’s demand for accountability and the union’s emphasis on the inherent dangers of flagging work underscore the need for improved safety measures and oversight in New York City Transit.

What to watch

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and MTA are investigating the circumstances of McCullum’s death. The family is demanding a full and thorough investigation into the crash. Union leaders are calling for improved safety procedures and oversight for flaggers. The MTA may face further scrutiny from the Federal Transit Administration and the state’s Public Transportation Safety Board.