VTA Maintenance Worker Dies In Accident At San Jose Bus Yard
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- A Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority maintenance employee has died after being struck by a bus at a San Jose facility earlier this week, officials said Friday.
Raul Apostol was struck and critically injured while working at the VTA's Chaboya Yard in south San Jose on Tuesday evening, agency spokeswoman Brandi Childress said.
Apostol was taken to a hospital and died of his injuries Thursday night.
The incident is being investigated by the VTA, the Santa Clara County sheriff's traffic investigation unit and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health.
Details of the incident are being withheld due to the investigation and in deference to Apostol's family, Childress said.
The employee who was driving the bus has been placed on leave, as per VTA policy.
"I am deeply sorry for the loss of our employee," VTA general manager Michael Burns said in a statement. "It is of the utmost importance to thoroughly understand the facts surrounding this incident as the safety of our employees and customers is our top priority."
Burns said, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Raul's family, his colleagues and all who have been affected by this tragic incident."
Buses are parked, fueled and maintained at the Chaboya Yard site and the VTA's bus division also has offices there, Childress said.
(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
