Man charged with pushing woman onto MARTA tracks

ATLANTA - An assault led to two women getting struck by a MARTA rail car, according to transit authorities.

The incident happened Sunday afternoon at the Midtown MARTA station on West Peachtree after a man allegedly of pushing a woman onto tracks in front of an oncoming train, injuring both her and her daughter who tried to help her.

On Monday, MARTA Police identified 28-year-old Christopher Patrick Booklin as the man who they say pushed 58-year-old Sue Wenszell onto the tracks in a random act.

According to a news release, the victim’s adult daughter, 28-year-old Katherine Wenszell, jumped onto the tracks to help her mother when a train struck her.

Other riders were horrified watching what played out. The mother, who was hit but not seriously, could be seen wriggling her way from under the train.

The daughter remained in a hospital Monday morning in critical condition.

Doctors treated and released the mother from a local hospital.

MARTA Police did not immediately release the names of the two women while they’re notifying family members.

MARTA Police Public Information Officer Cpl. Brian Lauda said there is no indication Brooklin knwe the woman he pushed.

He said the department will not release any surveillance footage of the incident since this is an active and ongoing investigation.

Officers charged Brooklin with aggravated assault and battery in a public transit station.

He is being held in the Fulton County Jail after waiving his first scheduled court appearance Monday morning.

The incident shut down train service for some time Sunday.

According to tweets from MARTA, the agency put a bus bridge in effect between the Civic Center, North Avenue, Midtown, Arts Center, and Lindbergh stations after the incident.