Watch CBS News

BART Accident Victim Had Extensive Experience

OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- It was a somber day for BART managers and union members after the death of two of their own.

Christopher Sheppard of Hayward and Larry Daniels struck were killed by a train just north of the Walnut Creek station on Saturday.

Sheppard was a BART manager and member of the AFSCME union. A senior track manager, Sheppard had extensive experience in the rail industry.

KPIX 5's Da Lin spoke a neighbor who told him Sheppard was planning on retiring in the next couple of years.

Two candlelight vigils were planned Sunday for both of the victims at Oakland's Lake Merritt and in Walnut Creek.

Meantime, the investigation into the accident has been taken over by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Monday the BART Board of Directors will have a special meeting to discuss labor negotiations.

According to BART spokeswoman Alicia Trost, BART officials have been in communication with union leaders and the mediator to determine the next steps toward resolution.

Trost issued a statement Sunday afternoon saying that no new talks have been scheduled as of Sunday afternoon but "BART is open to restarting mediated talks," said Trost.

She said that the death of two BART workers on Saturday during track maintenance work in Contra Costa County has "redoubled everyone's commitment to a quick resolution so we can move forward in a spirit of cooperation to provide service to the Bay Area."

Since there is no announced end to the strike Trost urged commuters to continue to make alternative plans for Monday.

(© Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.) 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.