MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The best friend of the former Mid-South man driving the train in Philadelphia when it crashed speaks out.
James Weir said he talked to Brandon Bostian since the crash Tuesday night.
He told WREG he’s been friends with Bostian for nearly two decades.
The two grew up together.
Bostian was from Bartlett, and graduated from Bartlett High School in 2001.
“Everyone is torn up,” said Weir.
Weir said he was watching the horrific train crash on TV hours after it happened when he got a call from Bostian.
He went numb when he found out his friend was the train’s engineer.
“He couldn’t talk to me much, because he was in the ER,” said Weir. “He really didn’t remember or know a whole lot.”
Investigators said the train was going twice the speed limit when it approached a curve, and several cars derailed.
Every passenger has been accounted for.
Eight people are confirmed dead in the Philadelphia crash, and dozens more were hurt including Bostian.
He reportedly banged his head when the train derailed and suffered a concussion.
Bostian was released from the hospital.
“He is very distraught. He is very upset. He is very sorry,” said Weir.
Federal investigators wanted to talk to Bostian, but his attorney said he didn’t remember what happened.
Investigators said they have the black box and were looking at surveillance video.
Weir told WREG he was convinced his friend isn’t at fault, because Bostian always took his job seriously, and safety was a priority.
“In fact when we were driving, he would never go over five miles per hour in the car, and when I did, he would fuss at me,” said Weir.
Bostian told Weir he turned his phone over to investigators and gave blood and urine samples too.
“I don’t think there was any foul play or anything like that. He was never one to do drugs,” said Weir. “There’s got to be something else going on that no one knows about yet.”
It’s those unanswered questions, Weir said, that will continue to tear up his friend.
“He’s going through a lot right now. I feel like he is taking it all in strides,” he said. “His life will never be the same.”
Bostian is currently in Philadelphia with his family.