Train Accident Victim Remembered as Happy and Fun-Loving

Enrique Zamora Cisneros loved music. If the 20-year-old Union City resident wasn’t spending hours listening to rap, metal or Mexican songs, he was making hip-hop beats on his computer or learning guitar.

He had a simple morning routine: wake up, blast his music, grab his iPod and walk to work.

On the morning of Sunday, Nov. 20, Enrique did just that. He put on large, noise-canceling headphones and a black hooded sweatshirt to fend off the pouring rain and embarked on his usual path — the railroad tracks near his home.

It was during that walk at about 11:30 a.m. a northbound Union Pacific Railroad freight train struck him. He was .

According to a Union Pacific Railroad spokesman, was walking in the middle of the train tracks away from the train, which was traveling between 20 and 50 mph. The train crew sounded the horn but Enrique didn’t move, railroad spokesman Aaron Hunt said.

“It wasn’t a suicide,” Enrique’s twin brother, Roberto said. “He just didn’t see it coming.”

Enrique would often use the tracks as a shortcut from his home in Contempo to get to work at in Union Landing. He would get into “the zone” when he listened to music, Roberto said.

“He had too much life,” the twin brother said. “He was always smiling. He loved to party and live life.”

Enrique was part of a big family. Though Roberto had recently moved out, Enrique stayed with his mother, stepfather, two younger brothers and older sister to help pay rent and contribute what he could to the family. He also had a stepbrother and sister who live with his father.

“He was a blessing in my life,” Enrique’s mother Sonia Rodriguez said as relatives gathered at a cousin’s house Monday night. “He was a very loving, very sweet boy. He always made me proud.”

Though Roberto doesn’t sugar coat the fact that he and his brother struggled in school, he said Enrique was determined to get his diploma and go to college. He was enrolled at continuation school Conley Caraballo High School at the time of his death.

“He just kept his nose in the books,” Roberto said of his brother’s recent study habits. “I was so happy for him when I heard he was doing good.”

Enrique was a member of the Conley Caraballo's book club and an artist in the school's various mural projects. He was also one of the main proponents who pushed for a mural on the 10th Street Community Center and spoke before City Council on the benefits of public art.

In addition to music and art, Enrique also wrote standup comedy bits.

“He wanted to do it all,” said Carlos Dieguez, a good friend of the twins. “He wanted to live so fast, but he died so young.”

Dieguez didn’t believe it when he got news of Enrique’s passing.

“I thought, ‘What kind of sick joke is he pulling?’” Dieguez said.

Dieguez credits Enrique and Roberto for helping him shake a drug addiction.

“He was one of the best people I knew,” he said. “If he had a chance to live longer, he would have changed more people.”

Word of Enrique’s death hit Roberto the hardest. He was in Santa Barbara with his girlfriend at the time and rushed home as soon as he could.

He last saw his twin brother two weeks ago and he was going to lend Enrique a guitar. The two had plans to jam together.

“It’s like losing a part of yourself,” Roberto said. “I always take pride in saying I have a twin brother … I don’t know what I’m going to say any more.”

Roberto said he’s grateful for all of the support from family and friends who have helped him cope and have kept the family in their prayers.

“I was never a guy to believe in God, but I hope God lets him in — I know he’s in,” Roberto said. “I think regardless if you believe or not, if you’re a good guy, you’ll get to heaven, and my brother was a good guy.”

Memorial Fund Established, Car Wash Fundraiser This Weekend

A memorial fund has been established in Enrique Cisneros’ name at Bank of America to help pay for funeral arrangements. Contributions may be made to Enrique Cisneros, care of Bank of America, account number 1148018198.

Friends and family are also holding a car wash fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at . Donations of any amount will be accepted.

Tentative Funeral Services Announced

A viewing is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at the Holy Angels Funeral Center, 1051 Harder Rd. in Hayward.

A mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 40382 Fremont Blvd. in Fremont.

The mass will be followed by a burial at Holy Angels Funeral Center.