NTSB holds meeting on Midland train accident that killed veterans

UPDATE
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NTSB faults parade plans in train collision that killed veterans
By Michael Muskal
Los Angeles Times
Published: November 5, 2013


Officials in Midland, Texas, and organizers of a weekend celebration honoring military veterans bear some responsibility for a deadly crash between a freight train and a float carrying veterans and their loved ones, according to the National Transportation Safety Board, which spent almost a year investigating the accident.

In a report released Tuesday, the five-member board criticized the lack of safety planning at the charity event designed to honor veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The veterans were invited to the annual three-day weekend of hunting and shopping in Midland and to a parade.

Two flatbed truck floats carrying veterans and their spouses were crossing railroad tracks headed to a banquet on Nov. 15, 2012, when one was struck by a freight train. One float had cleared the crossing, but the second truck was still on the tracks when it was struck by a Union Pacific freight train traveling 62 miles per hour in the 70 mph zone.

Four veterans were killed, and 11 veterans and their wives were injured, several seriously.
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NTSB to meet on train collision that killed 4 veterans in Midland, TX, last year
Associated Press
By JOAN LOWY
November 05, 2013

WASHINGTON — Cheers of support from a flag-waving crowd watching a parade turned into shouts of horror when a freight train rammed into a float carrying veterans and their wives in Midland, Texas, last year. Four veterans were killed and 16 others were injured in the collision.

On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board will meet to consider the probable cause of the accident and to make safety recommendations.

A local charity had invited veterans who had been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan to Midland for a three-day weekend of hunting and shopping in appreciation of their service, including a parade timed to fall near Veterans Day in November. The parade has been an annual event in Midland, a transportation and commerce hub in the West Texas oilfields, for nine years.
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Wounded veterans killed by train made us pay attention

Fort Carson soldier helping others after train crashed into parade float

Fort Carson soldier turns focus to others after Texas train tragedy
The Gazette
By Erin Prater
August 11, 2013

Sgt. 1st Class Richard Sanchez, who was hit by a train while riding on a float in an annual Texas parade, is now recovering at the Warrior Transition Battalion at Fort Carson. The November 15, 2012 accident left 4 veterans dead and 16 others injured.
Michael Ciaglo, The Gazette

The week was supposed to be a relaxing one, full of hunting for him and pampering for her.

A charity had chosen Sgt. 1st Class Richard Sanchez and his wife to attend an all-expenses-paid getaway to Midland, Texas, for wounded warriors and their spouses. It was supposed to take their minds off living with an injury. Sanchez was recovering at Fort Carson’s Warrior Transition Battalion for ill and injured soldiers after being shot in the right arm by an Afghan soldier during a “green on blue incident” in Kandahar last year.

Instead, the Texas getaway would land Sanchez in the hospital yet again, with his stay at the Warrior Transition Battalion extended indefinitely.
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Part of the reports from 2012

Veteran wounded in West Texas train crash plans lawsuit
By Matthew Waller
Reuters

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Reuters) - Attorneys representing one of the U.S. military veterans injured last week when a freight train collided with a parade float in West Texas said on Monday they are preparing to file a lawsuit, probably against Union Pacific, the operator of the train.

Lawyers Kevin Glasheen and Bob Pottroff said they are representing the family of 31-year-old Army Sergeant Richard Sanchez, one of 16 people injured in the crash on Thursday at the parade in Midland, Texas that was part of planned events saluting U.S. veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Four veterans died in the crash.

Ex-Cop Arrested for Lying about Purple Heart

Ex-Cop Arrested for Lying about Purple Heart
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
by Alexis Stevens
Jun 13, 2013

He's accused of telling a little white lie about a big purple honor.

Shane Steven Ladner, of Canton, says he is a Purple Heart recipient after being wounded in December 1989, when he was a 17-year-old soldier in the U.S. Army. But the Army, which does have a record of his service, has no record of Ladner's Purple Heart, the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.

Ladner, 40, a former Holly Springs police officer, is facing criminal charges that he lied about the medal following a six-week investigation into his military records. But Ladner's attorney, based in Texas, contends the veteran does have a Purple Heart.

Questions were raised about the medal after Ladner and his wife were injured during a veterans parade accident in Texas. A float they were riding was struck by a train and his wife later lost her leg.

"They did a lot of research and there was no evidence whatsoever to indicate he has ever been awarded a Purple Heart. Period," Lt. Jay Baker with the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office said.

Ladner was arrested shortly after noon Wednesday and was charged with four counts of theft by deception, one count of false swearing and one count of false statement to a police officer, Baker said. Shortly before 5 p.m., Ladner was released from jail after posting $23,100 bond.

In November, Ladner and his wife were participating in a parade for veterans in Midland, Texas, when they were among 16 injured in a train wreck that killed four.
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Veterans Parade ends in tragedy 4 dead 16 wounded

Staff Sgt. Joshua Michael died saving wife

Four veterans died in the crash

Freight train derails in Maryland; half-mile area evacuated

Freight train derails in Maryland; half-mile area evacuated
By CNN Staff
May 28, 2013

One person is thought to be trapped after a freight train derailment Tuesday near Baltimore, fire officials say.

(CNN) -- A freight train derailed Tuesday in Rosedale, Maryland, and one person is reported to be trapped, Baltimore County firefighter Jonathan Meehan said. A truck was involved in the incident, and a resulting hazardous-materials situation is prompting the evacuation of a half-mile area, according to a Baltimore County police official who declined to be named, citing department policy.
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Highway bridge collapses after trains collide

Seven injured in Missouri as trains collide, trigger highway bridge collapse
By Patrick Garrity
NBC News
May 25, 2013

Two freight trains collided and derailed early Saturday in southeast Missouri, then triggered the collapse of a highway overpass when several rail cars struck a support pillar.

Seven people were injured, including two personnel on the trains and five individuals in cars on the overpass on Highway M near Scott City, about 120 miles south of St. Louis, NBC affiliate KSDK reported. All the injured were hospitalized and listed in fair condition. The collision occurred before dawn at a rail intersection.

"One train T-boned the other one and caused it to derail, and the derailed train hit a pillar which caused the overpass to collapse," Scott County Sheriff's dispatcher Clay Slipis told Reuters.
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Driver of parade float hit by train is combat veteran too

I cannot imagine the kind of pain he is going through or anyone else that was there.

Driver in Texas parade crash an Army veteran
By Betsy Blaney
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Nov 20, 2012

MIDLAND, Texas — A 50-year-old Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan was driving a parade float that investigators say edged across a railroad crossing in Texas despite warning signals of a fast-approaching train, an attorney said Tuesday.

Four veterans were killed in the resulting collision in Midland on Thursday. Sixteen people were injured.

Dale Andrew Hayden was driving one of two flatbed trucks carrying wounded veterans and their loved ones in the procession to honor the war heroes, said Hal Brockett, Hayden’s attorney.

“Words can’t express the sorrow and remorse for the people who got hurt and killed,” Brockett said in an interview Tuesday.

Investigators say the float began crossing the train tracks even though warning bells were sounding and the crossing lights were flashing. A Union Pacific train travelling at more than 60 mph ran into the truck as the occupants scrambled to jump to safety.

Hayden, who has a military career spanning more than three decades, now works as a truck driver for Smith Industries, an oilfield services company. Brockett said the company placed Hayden on medical leave.
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Veteran survivor of train crash plans lawsuit

Veteran, survivor of train tragedy, plans lawsuit

UPDATE Vets, Families File Suit in Fatal Train Crash

Veteran wounded in West Texas train crash plans lawsuit
By Matthew Waller
Reuters – 13 hrs ago

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Reuters) - Attorneys representing one of the U.S. military veterans injured last week when a freight train collided with a parade float in West Texas said on Monday they are preparing to file a lawsuit, probably against Union Pacific, the operator of the train.

Lawyers Kevin Glasheen and Bob Pottroff said they are representing the family of 31-year-old Army Sergeant Richard Sanchez, one of 16 people injured in the crash on Thursday at the parade in Midland, Texas that was part of planned events saluting U.S. veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Four veterans died in the crash.

Pottroff said he wants to challenge the National Transportation Safety Board's assertion that the train signal system had "functioned as designed" and that no anomalies were found with lights, bells or gates.

The signals gave 20 seconds of warning as required by federal law, the NTSB said. But Pottroff said the signals may have required additional time because of the crossing's design.

"If someone finally gets to the bottom of this, the signal should have given 30-plus seconds," Pottroff told Reuters.
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Veterans Parade ends in tragedy 4 dead 16 wounded

Town holds candlelight vigil after veterans killed by train

UPDATE on Investigation
Officials: Float crossed track after signals
By Juan Carlos Llorca
The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Nov 18, 2012

MIDLAND, Texas — A parade float filled with wounded veterans that was struck by a freight train had crossed onto the railroad tracks after warning signals were going off, investigators said Saturday.

Four veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan were killed and 16 more people were injured when the train crashed into the flatbed truck in West Texas.

It was the second of two floats carrying veterans in Thursday’s parade in Midland. The first was exiting the tracks when the warning bells and signals were activated, 20 seconds before the accident, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The second float didn’t enter the tracks until several seconds after the warning system went off, the NTSB said. By that time, the guardrail was lowering.

“Once the crossing becomes active, people should stop,” lead investigator Robert Accetta with the NTSB said at a news conference Saturday afternoon.
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West Texas town begins recovery after train crash
By JUAN CARLOS LLORCA
Associated Press – 18 hrs ago

MIDLAND, Texas (AP) — Two days after a train suddenly plowed into a parade float, killing four war veterans, the city of Midland, investigators and the victims' families began what likely will be a long, painful recovery.

The truck that served as the parade float had been removed from the tracks and federal investigators were working to determine what exactly happened, including whether the parade had enough warning to clear the tracks. Investigators Saturday measured distances, photographed the site and tested equipment, trilling the warning bells periodically.

Residents in the town of nearly 114,000 that has long lived alongside a vibrant railroad industry planned a weekend candlelight vigil.

One question that remains is whether the parade had the proper permit. The parade has been an annual event in Midland for nine years, but City Manager Courtney Sharp declined to say whether the group, Show of Support/Hunt for Heroes, had the necessary paperwork to hold the event.

Railroads, though, are a vital part of Midland, a town that sits in the heart of Texas' oil rich Permian basin. Three or four tracks lie within city limits, and the site of the accident is just about 10 minutes from downtown, said Midland spokesman Ryan Stout.

That's considered when the city grants permits for parades and other events, Sharp said.

"We take all steps into consideration when we permit," he said. "I hate to go down that track until all of the investigation is over, but yes we do take that stuff into account."

The freight train careening down the track at 60 mph late Thursday slammed with a thunderous crack into the parade float carrying war veterans.
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Veterans killed by train made us pay attention

Wounded veterans killed by train made us pay attention

Ever since this happened, the stories coming out about these veterans and their families have started to be told. A charity Show of Support wanted to do something nice for these wounded veterans. It ended in tragedy with 4 dead and many physically injured. All the survivors and witnesses are emotionally injured. Some will see the pain pass, ease with time, but others will see it take control. The whole nation is paying attention to this story. The fact that these are stories we wouldn't have known about had this not happened is something we all should be reflecting on.

Veterans killed in Texas train crash survived gunshots, IEDs, grenades in Iraq, Afghanistan
By Associated Press

The four veterans killed when a freight train barreled into the parade float they were riding on were decorated military men who served on the front lines multiple times in Iraq and Afghanistan.

They survived gunshots, explosions and grenade attacks that left some with brain injuries that slurred their speech and made it difficult to walk.

One had a wife back home battling cancer while he fought through a brain injury in Iraq after an improved explosive device hit his truck.

Another was starting a new career with a defense contractor after more than two decades of military service.

They were husbands and fathers. Soldiers and a Marine. And they made sacrifices for those they loved, including at least one who died after pushing his wife to safety.

The men had traveled to Midland, Texas, from all over the country for a hunting trip organized to honor their service and to spend a weekend with those who would understand them best — their fellow veterans.

Here’s a look at them, compiled from interviews with friends and family, along with autobiographies they wrote for the website of Show of Support, the group that organized the parade and hunting trip.

In January, there was worse news: Daylyn had thyroid cancer.
“During her radiation, I was injured for the first time,” Michael wrote. He suffered a traumatic brain injury when an IED hit his truck, but he wasn’t allowed to go home.

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Staff Sgt. Joshua Michael died saving wife

Would we have known how much Sgt. Michael loved his wife otherwise or what they went through had it not been for this event in their lives. What about all the other events that came with his deployments and what she went through back home?

Would we have known about any of the others, their actions, their wounds, courage, passion, loyalty, devotion or anything they and their families went through for the rest of us?

No and frankly too few would have paid any attention to them at all had this not happened.

Camp Lejeune Marine killed in Texas tragedy
By DAILY NEWS STAFF
Published: Friday, November 16, 2012

This undated family photo provided the Show of Support, Hunt for Heroes committee shows Chief Warrant Officer Gary Stouffer, 37, one of four veterans killed when a parade float he was riding on was struck by a freight train at a crossing Thursday in Midland, Texas.
AP Photo/Family photo courtesy Show Of Support

Shannon Stouffer learned of her father’s death in a 5 a.m. Friday call from her grandparents in Pennsylvania to the Stouffer family’s Hubert home.

“Your daddy’s gone,” the 17-year-old recounted them telling her.

The news was still sinking in Friday that Chief Warrant Officer 3 Gary Stouffer, 37, with 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, was one of four — two others from North Carolina and one from Texas — killed on Thursday when a train hit a float carrying military veterans and their spouses as part of a parade to a banquet to honor the returning war heroes.

“I'm in a mourned shock right now,” said Shannon, a senior at Swansboro High School.

“It hurts because he's gone and he won’t be at my graduation or walk me down the aisle on my wedding day.”
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Staff Sgt. Joshua Michael died saving wife from train

Wounded vet dies saving wife on parade float in Texas train accident
By NBC News staff

One of the veterans killed when a train crashed into a parade float in Texas on Thursday is being hailed as a “hero” for saving his wife just moments before he lost his own life.

Joshua Michael, a 34-year-old Army staff sergeant and recipient of two Purple Heart decorations, pushed his wife, Daylyn, off the trailer just before the train hit, according to a family friend. At least 17 people were injured, one critically, and four were killed as a result of the accident, Midland city officials said.

Twenty-four veterans and their spouses were on the tractor-trailer, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram.

Army Sgt. Maj. Gary Stouffer, 37, and Army Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Boivin, 47, were pronounced dead at the scene. Army Sgt. Maj. William Lubbers was pronounced dead at Midland hospital.

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Veterans Parade ends in tragedy

Veterans Parade ends in tragedy 4 dead 16 wounded

UPDATE
Veteran, survivor plans lawsuit

UPDATE
Staff Sgt. Joshua Michael died saving wife

Train hits trailer carrying wounded veterans in Texas parade; 4 dead
By NBC News staff

James Durbin / Midland Reporter-Telegram
Bystanders react after a flatbed tractor-trailer carrying wounded veterans and their families during a parade was struck by a train Thursday in Midland, Texas.

Updated at 12:43 a.m. ET: A train crashed into a tractor-trailer carrying wounded veterans and their spouses in a parade in Midland, Texas, killing at least four people, authorities told NBC News.

At least 17 people were hospitalized, city officials said. Twenty-four veterans and their spouses were on the tractor-trailer, according to the Midland Reporter-Telegram. NBC station KWES of Midland said the tractor-trailer was part of the Show of Support / Hunt for Heroes parade carrying veterans and their spouses to a banquet in their honor. The benefit dinner was being put on by Show of Support, Military Hunt Inc. in Midland on Thursday night, according to the organization's website.
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Mayor Perry on veterans train tragedy 11.15.12

Early Edition: Four killed, 16 injured in parade accident
My West Texas
By Audrie Palmer and Sara Higgins

Four people were killed and 16 were injured Thursday night after a train struck a Show of Support parade float en route to an annual event at the Horseshoe.

Two of the individuals were killed at the scene, while two died at Midland Memorial Hospital. Two victims were transported to Lubbock and several others released from MMH late Thursday evening, said Chief Price Robinson of the Midland Police Department. Marcy Madrid at Midland Memorial Hospital told the Reporter-Telegram late Thursday that of the 16 injured admitted to Midland Memorial, 10 people were treated and released, four were still in stable condition, one was in critical condition and one was transported to Lubbock.

A float carrying veterans and their wives in the ninth annual Show of Support parade was struck by an eastbound train around 4:36 p.m. at the corner of Garfield Street and Industrial Avenue, Robinson said.

The parade was taking 24 veterans and their spouses from the DoubleTree by Hilton to the Horseshoe in south Midland.

According to officials, the trailer hit was the second of two that were pulling veterans near the end of the parade route. The first trailer had already crossed the train tracks.

The trailer was carrying 26 passengers -- 12 heroes, 12 spouses and two civilian escorts, Robinson said.

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Two soldiers overcome being hit by Union Pacific train

2 soldiers hurt when train strikes Army vehicle

The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Feb 28, 2010 9:52:39 EST

SALT LAKE CITY — A train hit an Army vehicle in Tooele County on Saturday, and two soldiers were hurt.

The tactical vehicle, about the size of a pickup, was traveling to Camp Williams from Dugway Proving Grounds when it was hit by a northbound Union Pacific train.
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http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/02/ap_army_utah_train_crash_022810/

Soldiers jumped into action after D.C. crash

Courtesy photo Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dennis Oglesby used his experience in the Special Forces to help assist passengers injured in a June accident on the Washington Metro system's red line.

Thomas Brown / Staff Martin Griffith, who was on active-duty for 14 years, now works at the Pentagon. Griffith was on the Metro Red Line train that crashed in June and provided triage for fellow passengers who were injured in the crash.

Soldiers jumped into action after D.C. crash

By Matthew Cox - Staff writer
Posted : Sunday Aug 23, 2009 8:32:24 EDT

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dennis Oglesby and former Army Master Sgt. Martin Griffith didn’t realize right away that a Metrorail train had smashed into the rear of the train they had just boarded June 22.

“I heard a loud noise from the rear of the car ... what the [expletive] was that?” Griffith recalled saying.

No one was hurt in their car, the fifth on the six-car train, so Oglesby said “let’s go.”

Griffith followed.

“We took off and ran for the rear of our car and opened up the emergency doors between that car and our car,” Griffith said.

“The people in that car were all lying on the floor in various states of picking themselves up.”

Griffith and Oglesby, who both work at the Pentagon in the Army’s Personnel Recovery Branch, had no way of knowing it at the time, but they were in the middle of the worst Metrorail train crash in the Washington, D.C., subway system’s 33-year history. When it was over, nine people would be dead and more than 70 injured.

The two men began assessing injuries and helping passengers toward the front of the train.
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Soldiers jumped into action after DC crash

44 hurt after light rail cars collide in San Francisco

44 hurt after light rail cars collide in San Francisco
Story Highlights
Conductor miscalculated a turn, police officer says

No life-threatening injuries reported, Muni spokesman says

Collision occurred at West Portal Station, spokesman says

Service disrupted on K/T, L and M lines
SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) -- Two light rail transit cars collided Saturday in San Francisco, causing multiple injuries, but none appeared life-threatening, a rail system spokesman said.

"Apparently the conductor for one of the trains miscalculated a turn. It's still under investigation right now," a police officer told CNN. He would not provide his name.

At least 44 people were injured, a fire official said.

None of the injuries was extremely serious, said Leslie Dubbin, administrator for operations at San Francisco General Hospital.

44 hurt after light rail cars collide in San Francisco

Washington Metro Train Crash Survivor Powered By Prayer

This is not a story of religious zealots we read about all the time when they act against what Christ taught. This is not about one faith over another. This is about faith and the power of prayer, especially in times of crisis.

Papa Roy sent this today and it fits this story very well.

Good morning, and Happy Birthday, America!

There is no need to give up

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.

Paul is saying, “Whatever honor is ascribed to me has its source in you Thessalonians.” It is Paul’s honor to introduce his converts to the Lord Jesus Christ. When he sees the Lord, he will know that his team’s glory will be people in heaven because of their witness. This is legitimate pride because it is based on what God did through them. Our reputation in eternity will be based, in part, on winning people to Christ. Do you have a part in building up Christ’s Kingdom? Will people point to you that you had a part in bringing them into the Kingdom? You can shape tomorrow by starting today. (K. Krell)

In God we trust: The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace. (Psalm 29:11)

Papa Roy

One last thought: Don’t give up!” Paul encouraged them. “Lay hold of the spiritual resources you have in Jesus Christ. You have the Word of God within you, the people of God around you, and the glory of God before you. There is no need to give up.” (Wiersbe)

USA Independence day hope

We hold these truths to be self-evident-that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

If you believe you have been targeted by God, then you carry that within you in everything you do. You will struggle with every single event in your life searching for something to bring you comfort. You will search drugs and alcohol, sex, riches, possessions and power. You will seek to hurt others so that you will feel better about yourself justified in your attacks against others. Yet when you seek your own, you wake up empty, bitter, lonely and still wondering why you were picked on by God. Yet when you believe thru faith and understanding about what God truly intended for you, blessing you with the strength you needed in times of crisis, then you are filled, sustained by love, rejoice with what you are able to give to others and thrive on lifting others up out of their own despair. This is a story about such a young man.

'I Really Believe God Was in There With Me'
Metro Crash Survivor Says His Long Reliance on Prayer Saw Him Through
By William Wan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, July 4, 2009

At 6 feet tall and 240 pounds of muscle, Daryl Smith Jr. cuts an imposing figure. It was that brawny build many passengers recalled after last week's deadly Metro train crash.

Survivors from the first car of the colliding train -- the one that ended up half-demolished -- recalled a big man who smashed his way through the backdoor and helped fellow passengers escape.

As investigators have looked for clues to the crash's cause, Smith, who is 19, has been searching his memory and pondering his faith, trying to find meaning in the wreckage.

Smith, who comes from a deeply religious family, said he felt God's presence amid the crash. He doesn't understand why the crash happened, but he said that he believes God intended for him to be there and that prayer helped him survive.

"As a kid, I was taught that if you needed something, you ask God for it," he said in an interview a few days after the crash. "That's what got me through this thing -- prayer. I really believe that."

Of the crash, Smith said what he remembered was the sound. One moment, he was sitting with his girlfriend, cracking jokes to make her laugh. The next, there was a boom. When it was over, he was lying on a pile of seats, his right foot cut and pinned by debris.
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I Really Believe God Was in There With Me

Train Hits Stalled Van, 2 Rescuers Hurt

Train Hits Stalled Van, 2 Rescuers Hurt
By CARRIE ANTLFINGER, AP
(May 25) - A freight train smashed into a minivan stuck on the tracks Monday as a police officer struggled to help a man pull his wife and child to safety.

They got the woman out but the 2-year-old boy was still inside when the 94-car train rammed the vehicle, crumpling the front and throwing the van into the two men. The child was unhurt, but both men suffered injuries, said Jim Gage, police chief in suburban Elm Grove.
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Train Hits Stalled Van, 2 Rescuers Hurt

Despite his own injuries, priest gave last rites to crash victims

Despite his own injuries, priest gave last rites to crash victims
By Anna Gorman, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 18, 2008
Still in a daze from the crash, Donald Ashman walked over to the first body.

Ashman knelt down and lifted a corner of a white blanket covering the body, placed his hand on the man's forehead and said the words he had said so many times before, almost always at a hospital:

"May God Almighty have mercy upon thee, forgive thee thy sins and bring thee to everlasting life."

The prayer took just a few seconds. Ashman returned the blanket and turned to the next victim, not far from the mangled Metrolink train.

He didn't know their names, their ages, their stories. He knew only that they had died and that they had probably been heading home to their families, as he was, after the workday.
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http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-priest18-2008sep18,0,6551252.story

Metrolink 111 engineer led solitary life marred by tragedy

Metrolink 111 engineer led solitary life marred by tragedy

Those who knew him say he had a passion for trains and Italian greyhounds. But his companion killed himself in 2003 and he had run-ins with the law.
By David Kelly and Sam Quinones, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers
September 17, 2008

Those who knew Robert M. Sanchez say he was a relentlessly upbeat man with a passion for trains and Italian greyhounds. At the same time, the Metrolink engineer led a solitary life in recent years and was intensely private, sharing little about a past that included tragedy and run-ins with the law.

Sanchez died Friday at the helm of a Metrolink train after apparently failing to stop at a signal near Chatsworth and colliding with an oncoming Union Pacific train. The crash, the worst in modern California history, killed 24 others and injured 135.
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Comuter train wreck kills 12, 135 injured in California

Mark Davis / AP
Firefighters work to pull out passengers at the scene of Friday's collision between a Union Pacific and Metrolink Amtrak train in Chatsworth, Calif.

Commuter train wreck kills 12 in California
'Blood was everywhere' after head-on collision; about 135 people injured.

LOS ANGELES - A Metrolink commuter train carrying 222 people collided head-on with a freight train outside Los Angeles Friday afternoon, killing at least 12 people, injuring about 135 and leaving an unknown number of others trapped in a horrifically mangled passenger car imploded by its locomotive.

Firefighters put out a fire under part of the train and pulled people from the passenger car, which was rested on its side with the Metrolink engine shoved inside it. Two other Metrolink cars remained upright.

Emergency crews worked through the night and into Saturday morning, the death toll increasing as firefighters dug deeper into the wreckage.


Full story
Video: Horrific crash

LA:4 dead 23 injured as commuter train and freight train collide

4 dead as commuter, freight trains collide

Brian Vander Brug / Los Angeles Times
By David Pierson 6:04 p.m.
A fire erupts after a Metrolink train carrying 400 passengers crashes near Chatsworth.
• At least four dead and 23 injured
• As rescue workers survey the wreckage, officials expect the death toll to mount
• A Metrolink spokeswoman says it's unclear what caused the accident