A Metrolink commuter train collided with a Union Pacific freight train on Friday, September 12, 2008, at around 4:25 p.m, in the Los Angeles suburb of Chatsworth, California. An estimated 225 passengers were aboard the train at the time of the collision. 25 people were killed in the crash and another 135 were treated for injuries.Los Angeles Times: Metrolink train crash: 18th victim found... (September 13, 2008)

At the start of public hearings on March 3, 2009, the National Transportation Safety Board reported evidence that crew members on both trains were sending text messages at the time of the crash. Public hearings will be held March 3 and 4 to determine a cause of the accident.Bloomberg: Crews in L.A. Train Crash Were Messaging, Probe Finds (Update2) (March 3, 2009)

On January 6, 2009, lawyers representing victims of the crash reported that the train engineer, Robert Sanchez, had a history of sending text messages on duty and that his employers were aware of this habit. An employee of Connex Railroad, the contractor that provides Metrolink with employees, told lawyers that he had complained to his superiors twice about Sanchez's on-the-job text messaging. Federal safety investigators reported that Sanchez sent several text messages while on duty on September 12 and the last message was sent 22 seconds before the collision.Los Angeles Times: Management knew about train engineer's texting... (January 6, 2009)

The NTSB report said that the Metrolink engineer Robert Sanchez, who died in the crash, was text-messaging all week, including with students that he let ride along. Sanchez had let several unauthorized people in his locomotive the week before the crash, allowing at least one of his riders to take the engine controls.Bloomberg: Crews in L.A. Train Crash Were Messaging, Probe Finds (Update2) (March 3, 2009)

Sanchez sent and received 57 text messages during his on-duty time on September 12, 2008. Accident records indicate that Sanchez missed a critical signal just before the crash, and 22 seconds before the crash, Sanchez sent another text message.Bloomberg: Crews in L.A. Train Crash Were Messaging, Probe Finds (Update2) (March 3, 2009)

Toxicology tests were run on the victims, and the Union Pacific conductor tested positive for marijuana use. Sanchez tested positive for prescription drugs.Bloomberg: Crews in L.A. Train Crash Were Messaging, Probe Finds (Update2) (March 3, 2009)

Three days after the crash, Metrolink spokeswoman Denise Tyrrell resigned from her post after suggesting that the company bore responsibility for the mishap.Wall Street Journal: Spokeswoman for Metrolink Resigns (September 15, 2008)

The Los Angeles Times reported on May 5, 2009, that Tyrrell, was given $135,000 in a settlement from Metrolink's owner. The settlement was awarded due to Tyrrell because due to pressure she felt after giving statements immediately after the crash.The Los Angeles Times: Metrolink settles with spokeswoman... (May 5, 2009)