Notes: Metro train operator arrested for a DWI after fiasco near Van Dorn station

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

☔ Today’s weather: Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 54 and low of 35.
⛅ Tomorrow: Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 45 and low of 34. Sunrise at 7:28 am and sunset at 5:02 pm.

🚨 You need to know

A Metro operator was arrested last month on suspicion of operating a train while intoxicated, blowing right past Alexandria’s Van Dorn Street Metro station and being unresponsive to calls from control center for about 45 minutes, Greater Greater Washington first reported.

The details of the incident came from a public Metro Transit Police Department document, which said the train halted outside of the Van Dorn Street Metro but before reaching Franconia-Springfield. The Alexandria Fire Department was the first to respond.

Metro said the driver has been an employee since 2017 and a train operator since 2019. He was charged with a DWI and will not be allowed to return to work.

📈 Thursday’s most read

The following are the most-read ALXnow articles for Jan 5, 2023.

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🗞 Other local coverage

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• Metrorail Driver’s Action At Alexandria Station Leads To DWI Charge
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• Win a 2-Night Stay at the South Court Inn
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• My Favorite Alexandria Bars
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🐦 Tweets of note

Yesterday we celebrated the retirement of one of our longest-serving bus operators – Mr. Charles Barrett – who has served riders in Alexandria for more than 28 years. We hope you will join us in wishing him all the best in his next adventure. pic.twitter.com/w0CZ6O8YC3

— DASH Bus (@DASHBus) January 5, 2023

LISTEN: Archive audio from 1998 shows Washington does not have a stranglehold on drama for electing a Speaker. Check out what happened when the Virginia House of Delegates abandoned all sense of decorum #vapolitics ⁦@NPRone⁩ https://t.co/AOlLIhvd2Y

— Michael Pope (@MichaelLeePope) January 5, 2023

Volunteer to help uncover trail at Belle Haven Park!

📅 : Saturday, January 7
⌚ : 10 am
📍 : Belle Haven Park

Register to volunteer: https://t.co/jUHEDgMLsR
Donate via PayPal: https://t.co/gjFDOHYMUC pic.twitter.com/j3sOnS69PG

— Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail (@MtVernonFriends) January 5, 2023

NEW: 2022 was a rough year for Metro rail ridership as the transit agency tries to gain customers back. Metro averaged 224k rail trips per day last year according to the latest stats. Compare that to 737k in 2011 and 626k in 2019. Will you go back? #wmata @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/86LRUZNcrJ

— Adam Tuss (@AdamTuss) January 4, 2023

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on today and this weekend in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

• 11:00 am Saturday: Nutrition 101 Virtual Workshop