R.I.P JACOB
WE WILL MISS U TERRIBLY
IT WAS VERY SHOCKING FOR US TO HEAR WHAT HAPPEN
WE ARE TERRIBLY SORRY TO THE HEFTER FAMILY..YOU GUYS
WERE LIKE FAMILY TO US...HOW OUR BOYS USED TO PLAY BASEBALL
TOGETHER..JACOB WAS A GOOD KID..HE ALWAYS KNEW HOW TO MAKE
PEOPLE SMILE...JACOB WE HOPE U SAVE A SPOT FOR ALL OF US UP
THERE IN HEAVEN..WE LOVE AND MISS YOU JACOB

R.I.P
JACOB HEFTER
July 6, 1990 - September 12, 2008

— the lemos family
September 17, 2008 at 5:22 p.m.

Like the other comments above, I also saw Maria's sister at the Moorpark Station when she was live on the news looking for her sister and later her mother looking for her. I was also hoping to here that she was going to be okay, but as I found out the worst. I feel for the family and her sister as she is now in heaven looking down on your family. I don't pray often but I did that day as I found out about the accident 20 minutes after it happened.
I understand about the family feel on the trains as I also have meet a friend on the train and she is going to school to be in the acting industry. That was a good day and we had a lot of fun talking on the train. I used to be a city bus driver for Santa Maria, CA and knew a lot of young school students that had there whole life's ahead of them and I connected well with them as I'm in my 20's myself. They were as great kids, just like Maria and would give me a smile everyday and make my job a good place to be. I hope and pry for the best for your family. Take care.

— Josh Thurman/Pismo Beach, CA
September 17, 2008 at 5:21 p.m.

Roger was a magnifiscent neighbor for a long time.We always talked a lot about everything, and help us a lot. we always saw him many times, gardening, and that was his favorite thing.and then in the evening, we alwaays heard them out in their back yard, laughing and talking. he and his wife always like wine and he wanted to learn how to make wine. Evety morning we always spotted him walking his dogs, and used to play with our dog. David and me will always him alot, not to see him in his yard, outside, or walking.

and may he rest in peace.

Eleanor Benavidez.

— eleanor
September 17, 2008 at 5:11 p.m.

We are so sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

To Andrea, Chucks family & friends and all those effected by this terrible tragedy..."Our loved ones have but stepped round the corner physically; but the air around us, the wind, the trees, the sky, the light, the darkness - they all carry their spirit which is always with us. The memories, the joys and sorrows, shared jokes and whispers, cries and laughter are all there to carry us through sad times and remind us to be strong, to remember the riches of memories left behind for us, and to pray for the peace of the departed souls." By Khalil Gibran

— Derek & Blair
September 17, 2008 at 5:10 p.m.

My prayers and condolences to the Chao family.

— Zen Calonzo (Caryn's co-worker)
about Yi Chao
September 17, 2008 at 5:06 p.m.

Mr. Grace. Mr Grace. Mr Grace. You are the reason I stopped being in a gang. You are the reason that some of my friends are in jail and I work for a fortune 500 company making $150k a year. You are the reason my life looks the way it does. We had that talk that day.. that life changing talk, I was at a fork in the road - and either I would end up like the statistic or step up and be the man I am today! You asked me to dig deep and reject the life that so many other's have. I grew up in a 1 bedroom apartment - my mom had 5 kids. You told me anyone could reach for their dreams - and I did it. I drove by the apartment today and said a prayer for you and your family, maybe everyone should know that a person like you can create better people in the world. Teachers and counselors make a HUGE difference in how we turn out when our one single parent has 2 jobs to feed us. Why don't we pay these people the money you are now giving to AIG and Fannie Mae? Who really deserves the money in this country? I am sorry I am saying this on this Wall of LOVE for you Mr. Grace but you challenged me to be better, so I must ask others to do and be better!! Someone said above you were a Obama supporter - EVERYONE LISTEN! Vote Obama - Life can never be left to the crooks again - we need hope and change for a a better day!!! We need to support teachers and counselors that turn our lives into successes not jails.

God Bless you my man!

— Rickie J
September 17, 2008 at 5:01 p.m.

Dear Long Family and special friends,
We are so sorry for your loss of our fun, loving, wise, kind and beautiful friend Paul. We know he is in heaven with his Lord God Almighty and probably up there teaching a class. Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone and we pray that we can all see God's glory from this tragic even. Karen and Devin remain strong in God's love and faithfulness....take one day at a time....today until midnight...because we don't know what tomorrow will bring. We love you and are here for anything that you may need. We love you.

— Jayne & Phillip and Brandon Smith
about Paul Long
September 17, 2008 at 4:51 p.m.

We greatly admired Walt Fuller for his constant love and devotion to his wife and children. We respected him for his servant's heart and for his lifelong dedication to the cause of public safety in the aviation industry. We cherished him as a friend, and we miss him. It is a lovely metaphor for Walt's life that he had such a passion for flight, for he has arrived at his final and much anticipated destination -- eternity in the heavens with Christ. As one of the family members so eloquently said, "Last Friday Walt was ushered into the glory of God." If there is one thing that Walt would want from those of us who are still earthbound, it is that we do not worry or lose heart or lose hope because he has left us. His confidence was in the Lord. Walt's departure is a cause of inexpressible grief for his family and for all of us who are his friends, but because of the Savior, his life is a beacon of inexpressible hope.

— Tim and Liza Piatt
September 17, 2008 at 4:49 p.m.

I got to spend a weak with him, the night before he left talked about twenty minutes with him. I didn't know him too well but in those twenty mins I said to myself "wow what a good kid!" seemed too good to be true? and thats why he took him away from us, "Im sorry" are not the right words, but "It was an honor" is. My prayers go out to his family and his brothers.

p.s. your always in our hearts jacob! you've taught all of us a valuable lesson.

— Vig (roomate & friend @ csulb)
September 17, 2008 at 4:47 p.m.

Pete, Janice, and I and my wife met when our boys played Little League baseball together. I liked Pete the second I met him. He was, and always will be, a kind and cheerful guy, easy to like, easy to talk to, with an obvious zest for life and a concern for other people. I ran into him occasionally at public events like Back-to-School, the store, and other places. Janice chauffered my son to the high school with Alex every day for a couple of years. This is a fine family. Pete's loss is tragic for his family and for all who knew him and will miss him. It is a comfort to know of Pete's faith that he is not lost to them forever, but will meet them again when that day comes that waits for us all.

— Graig Larsen
September 17, 2008 at 4:44 p.m.


Keep in mind
  • The Times initially mispelled the name of Michael Hammersley and Beverly Mosley.
  • The coroner's office reported a 26th victim the afternoon of Sept. 15, but a few hours later said the tally was 25.

Chatsworth Metrolink Crash is the Los Angeles Times' database of fatalities from the Sept. 12, 2008, train collision.
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Latest Numbers

25 dead

135 injured

About the Data Desk

This page was created by the Data Desk, a team of reporters and Web developers at The Times.