Metrolink Crash Survivors Finally Confront Railway Officials

An emotional meeting on Monday pitted victims of a deadly train wreck in Chatsworth against railway officials held responsible for the deaths of 25 people and injuries to another 135 in a 2008 train disaster.

The crash left indelible and horrific scars on the memories of those who survived the deadly crash and many family members whose loved ones died in the fiery train wreck.

For the first time, about 60 people faced off with three executives from Veolia Transportation, the company that provided the Metrolink train operator blamed by authorities for the crash.

The wreck was caused by an engineer text-messaging when the commuter train crashed head-on with an oncoming Union Pacific freight train on Sept. 12, 2008.

"This is about putting a face on the devastation -- so that they see who we are," said Claudia Souser of Camarillo, whose husband, was among the 24 Metrolink commuters killed in one of the nation's worst train tragedies.

Monday's meeting came nearly a week after a federal judge's order approved a fund for victims created by Connex, a subsidiary of Veolia, a French company that operates bus, rail and other services throughout North America

The case will now move to Los Angeles County Superior Court, where a judge will determine how to divide the money between the injured and the families of those who died.

The maximum under a liability established by federal law governing railway collisions is $200 million.

"We're not just numbers," Souser said. "You're all wearing wedding rings. How would you feel if you woke up tomorrow and your spouse wasn't there? What would you do? How would you survive?"

Monday’s meeting was held at the Simi Valley City Hall where family members showed photos of their dead and injured loved ones, while others talked about how injuries permanently altered their lives.

Executives did not answer questions based on an agreement set before the closed-door meeting.

The meeting was organized by Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley.

Gallegly said it was important for company executives to meet victims eye-to-eye.

Federal investigators believe the commuter train's engineer, Connex Railroad employee Robert Sanchez  was texting when he ran a red light and collided with a Union Pacific freight train. Sanchez was among those who died.

The recent $200 million settlement was the largest of its kind for a passenger train wreck and reflects the maximum amount set by Congress in 1997 to help keep passenger rail systems operating when faced with major lawsuits.

Kumar Shankar, 66, of Simi Valley, was among 135 commuters injured. He was seated in the first car that experienced the most impact.

All of his ribs where broken along with his nose. He suffered a punctured lung and nerve damage.

He dangled 45 minutes before he was rescued.

"I'm just so happy to be alive. I just got lucky, somebody was looking after me," a tearful Shankar said.

Monday's meeting marked Gallegly's second effort to bring together officials of Metrolink's former train operators and crash victims.

Veolia representatives declined to meet in January saying they did not have anyone available to meet with the victims. The company offered a February date.

Gallegly has introduced legislation that would retroactively increase the cap for Metrolink victims to $275 million.

"(The law) is intended to protect government interest not to protect a company worth $20 or $30 billion a year," Gallegly said during a break in the meeting.

Veolia officials did not make statements or answer questions on Monday.

The Associated Press, The Ventura County Star and the Daily News contributed to this report.