A 17-year-old Nebraska teen faces felony charges after allegedly causing a Bennet train derailment, recording the $350,000 crash, and posting the video to YouTube, authorities said.

The teenager, who has been charged with two counts of felony criminal mischief, allegedly tampered with a rail switch, causing the derailment of two locomotives and five cars in Bennet, Nebraska, on April 21. Authorities say the teen then posted a video of the crash to YouTube, leading to a significant investigation that included obtaining search warrants for the teen's phone and video equipment. Prosecutors are now seeking to transfer the case to adult court, underscoring the serious legal consequences the teen could face.

The incident has prompted significant concern from both local residents and authorities. Notably, the switch's padlock, which was supposed to prevent tampering, was found missing at the scene. This missing padlock allowed unauthorized access to the rail switch, a crucial piece of evidence in the investigation conducted by the authorities.

On the day of the crash, the train conductor took urgent action to prevent the derailment by attempting an emergency stop. Despite efforts, the conductor could not halt the train in time, resulting in the derailment. The loss included substantial damage estimated at $350,000.

The teenager involved reported the derailment to the authorities himself. In an unexpected move, he approached an investigator on-site, asking about the cause of the crash. This interaction raised suspicions and eventually led the investigators to examine his potential involvement in the incident.

Authorities soon discovered a tripod set up near the site of the accident, a mere four minutes before the derailment occurred. This timing suggested a premeditated effort to record the incident. Additionally, surveillance footage captured a beige 1996 Buick Park Avenue with a lone driver in the area just prior to the derailment.

Central to the charges are allegations that the teen posted a five-minute video of the derailment on YouTube. The video, described by the teen as 'THE MOST INSANE VIDEO I’VE EVER TAKEN!', showed the crash in detail and included his repeated expressions of shock and concern for the well-being of those involved.

Despite these actions, the teen denied any wrongdoing initially, claiming he had not trespassed or tampered with the rail switch. However, he did show investigators a video he took of the derailment, which further implicated him in the events under investigation.

Following these developments, authorities obtained a search warrant to seize the teenager's cell phone and a 4K digital recorder, both of which were believed to have been used to film the derailment. The equipment and the footage contained therein became critical components of the evidence being used to build the case against him.

The prosecution is now pushing for the case to be transferred to adult court. This move could significantly increase both the severity of the potential penalties and the implications for the teenager’s future. The juvenile court charges currently on file include two felony counts of criminal mischief, emphasizing the gravity of the case.

Local reactions to the incident have varied, with some expressing concern over the potential safety risks posed by such actions. Authorities have stressed the importance of securing rail infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future. The missing padlock on the rail switch particularly highlights vulnerabilities that could be exploited, leading to dangerous situations.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the teenager remains at the center of a highly publicized investigation. The case has not only captured local attention but has also sparked broader discussions about the motives and implications of such dangerous behaviors, especially when amplified by social media platforms like YouTube.

Ultimately, the case underscores the complex intersection of criminal mischief, public safety, and the influence of social media. Legal experts suggest that the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how teenage crimes involving sophisticated and premeditated actions are handled in the future.