By Associated Press - Tuesday, February 6, 2018

BOSTON (AP) - Transit authorities say a trolley operator was on his cellphone prior to last year’s collision with another train in Boston that sent 16 people to the hospital.

The Boston Globe reports 42-year-old Leroy Mattison, of Malden, told investigators he was trying to delete a post he had made on Reddit at the time of the crash Dec. 29. Authorities say he also had a loaded .40-caliber handgun in a backpack on the trolley.

Court records show transit police are seeking criminal charges against Mattison that include negligence, witness intimidation and using a mobile phone while operating a public transport vehicle.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said Monday Mattison has been fired following the police report.

Mattison has declined to comment.

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Information from: The Boston Globe, http://www.bostonglobe.com

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