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BLET member killed in off-duty car collision

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, June 5 — BLET Member David V. Sayson of Division 565 (Youngstown, Ohio) was killed in a off-duty automobile collision in Springfield Township, Ohio, on May 30, 2019. He was 48 years old. 

According to police reports, a 20-year-old driver fell asleep at the wheel and traveled left of center, colliding head-on with Brother Sayson’s vehicle. The 20-year-old survived, but Brother Sayson was rushed to the hospital and pronounced dead a short time later. 

Brother Sayson hired out with Conrail in 1994, then moved on to Norfolk Southern where he earned promotion to locomotive engineer. He held continuous membership in the Brotherhood since January 1, 2011. 

According to Timothy M. Laveing, BLET’s Pennsylvania State Legislative Board Chairman, Brother Sayson worked out of Conway, Pa., for many years before recently moving over to Youngstown, Ohio. 

“Brother Sayson leaves behind a lot of good friends in Youngstown and at my terminal in Conway,” Brother Laveing said. “He loved his job and was qualified in so many areas. He developed many loving and supportive friends with his railroad family over his 25 years of loyal service.” 

Brother Sayson is survived by his wife, Jody, and three children: sons Dominic and Dante, and daughter Olivia. He is also survived by his parents, Vincent and Shelda Sayson, one brother and one sister, and numerous inlaws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. 

The family will host visitations on Thursday, June 6, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the J & J Spratt Funeral Home (1612 Third Ave., New Brighton, PA 15066, phone: (724) 843-1050). A funeral will be held at the same location on Friday, June 7, at 11 a.m. Friends and family can leave an online tribute for Brother Sayson here.

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy and a terrible loss to all who knew and loved Brother Sayson,” BLET National President Dennis Pierce said. “On behalf of the BLET National Division, I extend our most heartfelt condolences to Brother Sayson’s family and friends.”

Wednesday, June 5, 2019
bentley@ble-t.org

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