Worker Struck, Killed By Passenger Train In La Mirada

Poor guy!! He was so young. My thoughts and prayers go out to Xavier's family, friends and co-workers. May God Bless them and help them mourn peacefully!

The bottom line to this tragic loss of life is that because Xavier Arriaga recognized the potential for a disastrous train wreak that would have been caused by the heavy asphalt compactor that the contract worker was using proved to be a hero of the highest order.

The fact is that those 140 passengers and the crew of that southbound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner owe Xavier Arriaga a debt of gratitude. Traveling at a reported speed of 77 miles per hour, the engineer of the popular train could do nothing but watch Arriaga's valiant efforts to remove the piece of equipment that was fouling the tracks ahead of the new locomotives.

Just as Arriaga managed to draw the heavy compactor off the rail, the mounting ladder of the lead engine struck him, death was instantaneous. May his soul rest in peace.

Richard wrote:

The bottom line to this tragic loss of life is that because Xavier Arriaga recognized the potential for a disastrous train wreak that would have been caused by the heavy asphalt compactor that the contract worker was using proved to be a hero of the highest order.
The fact is that those 140 passengers and the crew of that southbound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner owe Xavier Arriaga a debt of gratitude. Traveling at a reported speed of 77 miles per hour, the engineer of the popular train could do nothing but watch Arriaga's valiant efforts to remove the piece of equipment that was fouling the tracks ahead of the new locomotives.
Just as Arriaga managed to draw the heavy compactor off the rail, the mounting ladder of the lead engine struck him, death was instantaneous. May his soul rest in peace.

I hope that they can name a section or that part of the track after him. He should not be forgotten.

I am deeply saddened by this. I hope there is a memorial placed here for him.

My condolences to the Arriaga Family. I work less than a mile from the scene of this tragic accident and I go through there quite often. I just want to let you know that he will always be remembered. Xavier is in his resting place & we can all bow down & say a prayer for him & his family.
Sincerly

A hero but a tragic ending. May he rest in peace.

RIP Mr. Arriaga.

this was my cousin. needless to say, my life and that of my family has been turned upside down. We thank everyone for their kind words. Boo boo (as our family knew him since he was a baby) was beyond a wonderful individual. No gangs or drugs. just a person with a permanent smile on his face who loved family, beer, and music....dont we all. I'll miss my primo but if there is anything we can learn from this tragedy...it is to never take anything or anyone for granted. hug your mom, dad, sis, bro, etc. because as my family just found out..you never know...

Message to Everyone:I want to thank everyone for there comments. It is so beautiful to see that my fiance has touched so many people. I am just devastated that it had to be in this way. He was an amazing man and loved everyone. He was always so happy, laughing, and smiling. He is a hero in so many ways, I couldnt even began to tell you all. Message to the Love of My Life: Baby, I hope you can look down and see all the people's lives you have touched. I always told you, you are an amazing man. I am so proud of you. I love you. Stay by my side and give me the stregnth. I will see you soon babe! Give our baby a kiss for me! Love you with all my heart!

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for their comments. Just as my cousins fiance said, it is so beautiful to see that my lil cousin has touched so many people. At first I didn't understand why he turned and went back to the track, but now I know that it was because he was such a loving and caring person, he thought of the people on the train so he went and moved the equipment off of the tracks. It is devistating that because of him saving lives of others he had to lose his own. My cousin is a Hero, not just to the passengers or to his family but to so many other people as well! I'm not going to lie, I wish he wouldn't have been so caring at the time because we could have still had him here with us. But now he has gone on his journey to meet up with my brother, grandfather, uncle, aunt and his own baby to become an Angel watching over us with the rest of them. My life will NEVER be the same without him. Boo, I know you're watching over us now, I just wish I could have seen you one last time, to hug you and tell you that I love you. I know we'll meet again someday but until then just know that we all love you and miss you!! You will forever be in our hearts baby cousin!!! Give all our family hugs & kisses for us all!(Since you were always hugging & kissing everyone anyway)

Rest In Peace Boo...

Until we meet again.

I drive across these train tracks every day to go to work and I even saw the workers that morning and was happy that they were finally leveling out the street. But then to hear about that it is very sad. Your family will be in our prayers he is definately a Hero.

Xavier is a hero. Putting others before his own safety. mama-you raised him right. It is so sad he died. I pray for the family. Rest in peace.

I too drive over these tracks everyday, It is such a tragedy to lose someone so young but it is amazing to hear that is was so heroic. God Bless you family and may Xavier rest in peace.

I was a little irriated that when exiting off the freeway on Valley View, I wasn't able to take my normal route home due to the closure of that street. I didn't know what happened but I had seen the helicopter, police cars, and etc..It wasn't until the next day at work, I checked the internet to see if I could find out what happened. My heart ached so bad when I read about this guy.....so young. I didn't know him but I hurt for his family none the less. I have put the family on our church prayer chain. May you look to God comfort in your time of pain.

The Cardenas Family would like to send our thoughts and prayers to the entire Arriaga family, fiance, and friends. It was a shocking and heroic loss to everyones lives he has touched. My nieces lost a wonderful and humble uncle. Life is too precious and short and we should express it to our loved ones as much as we possibly can. He will be in our hearts forever. For we all knew him and will remember him as Boo. May God Bless your family and all your loved ones you have lost. You are now in good hands and may you rest in peace.

It breaks my heart to think of Boo not being here with his family and friends anymore, and that such a great young man had to be taken from them way too soon. Its funny how a tragedy makes you realize how precious life really is. I love the Arriaga Family and I cannot amagin the pain that they are going trough, but my prayers and heart goes out to them. Boo has forever touch our lives and I am glad that we had the opportunity to know and be friends with him. I will always remember his smile, and love for his family. I know he is watching over you all and he will forever be with you....

wow,what a man to take a risk as he did,i could only say to his family & loved ones God will certainly give him a special seat in heaven for his sacrafice,try to find strenghth in knowing that.

To the Arriaga family:Our hearts thoughts and prayers are for you.It's hard to believe this is all real.We are all very sad knowing we will never see or hear Xavier laugh again.His laugh was one of a kind.He will always be in our hearts and forever on our minds.Rest in Peace Xavier.We know you are up there having a nice cold beverage of some sort.