Shortly after the mother of one of the boys killed in Sunday's light rail accident questioned the objectivity of Maryland Transit Administration police, the agency's top official moved Wednesday to have Baltimore County police take the lead in the investigation.
MTA Administrator Paul J. Wiedefeld said he has full confidence in his agency's police department but was taking the step "out of respect for the family."
Amy Wankmiller, mother of Kyle Wankmiller, 17, had expressed concern that the MTA Police would protect agency employees involved in the accident near the Lutherville station.
"The whole thing stinks, and I really belive the MTA is trying to cover up something," she said.
She was also upset about erroneous information that the agency had given out since the incident. She pointed to a mix-up over which boy died Sunday and which died Monday - information that had been provided by the MTA.
Connor Peterson, 17, died Sunday at St. Joseph Medical Center, and Kyle Wankmiller died Monday at the Maryland Shock Trauma Center, she said. The boys lived in the same Lutherville home with her and Connor's father.
Wankmiller said Tuesday afternoon that she had no confidence in an MTA-run investigation. According to the agency, the boys were walking on the tracks with their backs to a northbound train when they were hit.
When Wiedefeld was told by The Baltimore Sun of the mother's comment, his first reaction was to say that the MTA Police would remain in charge of the investigation. But about 30 minutes later, he called back to say he had reconsidered.
"If that puts her mind at ease, I'm going to do it," he said. He instructed John Gavrilis, acting chief of the MTA Police, to ask the county force to take over the leading role, which includes responsibility for informing the public about the course of the investigation.
"I know our guys are very good at what they do," Wiedefeld said. "It's purely out of respect for the family, and our professionals will continue to work on this case."
County police have worked alongside the MTA Police since shortly after the boys were found about 3:10 p.m. Sunday, but the transit police were the lead investigators because the incident occurred on the light rail line.
Cpl. Michael Hill, a county police spokesman, said Chief James Johnson had agreed to the MTA request and that officers in both departments had begun the transfer of responsibility. He said the county force would be seeking outside help because "we're usually not in the business of dealing with trains."
