Member dies in Calif. accident

A Local 1544 (Maywood, Calif.) member lost his life as a result of injuries while performing service early March 3.

Brother Taj Ellis, 46, of Chino, Calif., was making a set-out in La Mirada Yard in Orange County, Calif., at 12:30 a.m. when he was fatally injured.

He had been a member of our union since July 2013 and was a conductor for BNSF.

A member of the SMART-TD National Safety Team is assisting the National Transportation Safety Board, which has launched an investigation into the accident.

Brother Ellis is the first on-the-job casualty of 2021 for our union. Last year, four of our members died while in service.

The SMART Transportation Division offers its sincere condolences to Brother Ellis’ family, his Local 1544 brothers and sisters and all those who knew him.

This article will be updated as more information becomes available.