Harrowing Footage: Chaos Erupts in California Train Car as Operator Appears to Fall Asleep at High Speed
A San Francisco light rail operator is under investigation after reportedly falling asleep during a harrowing Muni train incident in September, the city’s transit agency confirmed Monday.
On September 24, a two-car Muni train began accelerating unexpectedly as it entered a tunnel, reaching roughly 50 miles per hour before emerging toward a sharp curve, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) and CBS News. The high-speed ride left several passengers thrown to the floor or into one another.
“The agency is addressing the matter in accordance with internal protocols and the relevant contract, which included placing the operator on non-driving status,” the SFMTA said in a statement, citing “operator fatigue” as a contributing factor.
Passengers described the moments of chaos inside the train.
“I had people fall on me as we were going around the first curve,” passenger Jack Logar told KQED-TV. “There were a couple of loud yells, but then the train didn’t really stop immediately.”
Unreal. The operator of a Muni Metro train in San Francisco falls asleep or passes out at the controls.
Passengers were flung about the cabin with some falling and striking their heads against the window.
The operator blamed a mechanical failure. pic.twitter.com/Z4o4FFoD6Z
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) November 11, 2025
Another rider, Kenny Sandon, said it felt like “for at least five seconds, maybe longer, the train was just flying.” He added, “It’s really concerning. I really hope this is a wake-up call for Muni to take action and make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
KRON-TV reported that the train blew past one scheduled stop before coming to a sudden halt. In a video shared on X, the operator could be heard saying, “Relax, relax! I’m sorry, relax. We didn’t crash. Relax. Relax. It wouldn’t stop.”
Paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after.
Following an inspection, the SFMTA said the train, tracks, and infrastructure were all found to be in proper working order.
“We know this was a frightening experience for our riders, and we take that very seriously,” SFMTA Director of Transportation Julie Kirschbaum said in a statement Monday. “Safety is always our top priority. We are committed to accountability and to taking all necessary steps to keep Muni safe and reliable for everyone.”
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