Posted on 09/17/2008 9:41:56 AM PDT by ZGuy
Those who knew Robert M. Sanchez say 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.
Investigators on Tuesday said they had ruled out train and track failure in the accident, and are close to ruling out signal failure. They said they are now focusing on Sanchez.
Sanchez was involved in a fatal crash with a pedestrian earlier this month.
In the years before his death, Sanchez led a nomadic life, with addresses in Oregon, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, Nebraska and California.
In 2000, he and Daniel Charles Burton, a waiter, bought a home in Crestline.
Burton moved to California from West Haven, Conn., his family said, seeking better weather and the freedom to be gay.
On Feb. 14, 2003, Burton hanged himself in the garage of their home.
"Rob, Happy Valentine's Day," read a note Burton left behind
The coroner's report showed that Burton tested positive for HIV.
Even before the suicide, Sanchez was having problems.
In 2002, he was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting. Sanchez pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge, paid a fine and served 90 days in jail.
At the time he said a lot of things were going on that caused him to make stupid mistakes.
He also had a federal tax lien filed against him in 1991 for $6,054 and a Riverside County tax lien for $1,205 filed in 2006.
Sanchez took diabetes medication.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
It appears that the frame of the lead passenger car did not absorb any impact. Anti-climbers are used on all tanker cars after the wreck in Mississauga in the 80's, when propane cars climbed each other and exploded. The anti-climber extends the vertical reach of the coupler knuckle by about a foot each way. If a car leaves the rail, travelling lower or higher, the coupler remains engaged. My grandfather was on the board that implemented this device.
Sodomites are crazy. End of story.
“...to work for...”
Who is paying the contractor? Metronlink. If Metrolink was not culpable, why did their PR official resign. After all, it was the contractors responsibility. Using your argument, the focus should solely be on the contractor. The reason it is not is because the engineer, ultimately, works for Metro.
Now, I would not be surprised if the families of the victims filed a lawsuit against the contractor as well. As I said, Metronlink is responsible.
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