Morning Roundup: Still No Firm Answers to Crash

Good morning, Washington. As you might imagine, the investigation into Monday's deadly Metro crash continues to dominate the headlines. Of course, there's the human angle: today you can take your pick of horribly sad biographical sketches of the victims. But the more technical details surrounding how the accident happened are still far from certain. Fingers are still being pointed toward the older Series 1000 rail cars and Metro's failure to upgrade them to meet NTSB's recommendations. But there's now some indication that, in addition to structural deficiencies, part of the problem may have involved failed automation systems. WJLA, WTOP and the Post all have worthwhile pieces this morning. Among the most interesting new details: some passengers in the striking train are reporting that the train stopped and the conductor made an announcement about allowing the train ahead of them to clear, immediately before the acceleration that led to the accident; NTSB says that the emergency brake "mushroom" was activated prior to impact (though some survivors' accounts indicate that the train did not slow before impact); and the train was set to operate in automatic mode, which is normal for rush hour and which should have made a collision impossible (all Metro trains are currently operating under manual control as the investigation continues).

Dulles Toll Road Charges Likely To Double: The Post provides the details on the likely shape of the inevitable: toll increases on the Dulles Toll Road. The culprit is the Silver Line Metro extension to Dulles, the funding plans for which call for half of the necessary money to be raise through tolls, making the rate hike not a question of if, but when. The proposal from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority that's currently under consideration would gradually raise the toll rates until 2012, at which point the main toll would be $1.50 and the ramp toll would be seventy-five cents.

First Swine Flu Death In Maryland: The H1N1 virus is fading from headlines, but it's still a threat to vulnerable members of the population. WJLA brings word that the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has announced the first death in the state attributable to the virus. Details are scarce, but it sounds like the victim was elderly and suffered from other medical problems that may have made him or her susceptible to the flu. Relatedly, Montgomery County says it's expecting a reemergence of swine flu this fall.

Briefly Noted: Frederick County incinerator project back on track... Many area charities running low on operating reserves... Disruptive passenger arrested at National... Kaine announces new air quality monitoring initiative targeting older coal plants...

This Day In DCist: One year ago we were pleased to learn that the Obama campaign wasn't disrespecting D.C.

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