On the night of June 27, our Union tragically lost two Brothers when CSX Conductor Jake Lafave and Conductor Trainee Stephen Deal (both of Local 600) died after being struck by an Amtrak passenger train just north of Union Station in Washington D.C. On behalf of our entire membership, we extend our most heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of both men, and to their co-workers working out of Cumberland, Md.

Brother Lafave, 25, was with CSX for nearly four years. He is survived by his wife Katelyn and his parents, and we offer special thoughts for his father, CSX dispatcher Jim Lafave.

Brother Deal was 20 years old and had just over two years of CSX service. He is survived by his parents.

An investigation is underway, and SMART will join in those efforts to learn not only what caused this accident but also how to guard against similar incidents in the future.