Metra trains not to stop at Clarendon Hills as investigation into a deadly incident continues

On Wednesday, at about 8 a.m., Metra BNSF train 1242 was involved in an accident. According to Metra, a truck was stuck on the rails, and the driver jumped off as the train approached.

A female passenger on the train was fatally injured. Michael Gillis, the director of communications for Metra, stated that four additional individuals were hurt, including a Metra engineer, a conductor, and two passengers. Their wounds were minimal. The truck driver remained unharmed.

WGN's Skycam9 was over the accident scene, revealing that the vehicle was destroyed. The side of the Metra train was also severely damaged, with several glasses shattered.


Witness Denise Andrews was a few vehicles back in traffic when she captured video of the truck engulfed in flames. She added that by the time she managed to look over at the tracks, she could see a large vehicle approaching at near full throttle with all horns blazing. It was just a few seconds before she could see the barrier of the train fall and strike the top of the vehicle. It was only at that moment she realized that her train was stuck on the tracks.

Thursday trains will operate on a modified Saturday timetable as the inquiry continues. On Saturday, trains will stop at every station except Clarendon Hills. The Saturday express trains 2008, 2020, and 2019 do not change. Visit Metra for the whole schedule.

A friend of the woman who was killed, who resided in Downer's Grove, characterized her as a cheerful individual with a large family. She has not yet been identified officially.

The investigation will discover why the driver was unable to leave the tracks. Some locals suggested that building could be a contributing factor to the issue.

Please get in touch with the National Transportation Safety Board at 202-320-3387 if you have footage or if you may have observed the incident.