Texting trolley driver admits guilt in Mass. crash

BOSTON (AP) — A former Boston subway driver who authorities say was texting his girlfriend just before his trolley slammed into the rear of another one, injuring more than 60 people, has pleaded guilty.

Aiden Quinn changed his plea Wednesday in Suffolk Superior Court. He had previously pleaded not guilty to the charge, gross negligence by a person in control of a common carrier.

A judge sentenced him to two years probation and 100 hours of community service.

Prosecutors say he admitted typing a text message to his girlfriend just before the May 2009 crash. He then ran through yellow and red warning lights and into the two-car train ahead of him.

He was later fired.

After the crash, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority enacted a policy banning operators from possessing cell phones or other devices on the job.