Personal Injury Law

Metra Train Kills Pedestrian

By Kristina Labanauskas

A Union Pacific Northwest Line train inbound to Chicago struck and killed a pedestrian near the Arlington Heights Station, located at Northwest Highway and Evergreen Avenue. The tragic accident took place this morning just after 7:30 a.m.

This is the second fatality on the tracks this week. On Wednesday night, about 5:10 p.m., the Chicago Fire Department was notified about a pedestrian who was possibly struck by a train in the 2300 block of South Springfield Avenue on Chicago's South Side. There has been no confirmation to date that the train hit the man, however.

In 2007, the most recent reporting year for statistics, the Federal Railroad Administration reported 2, 278 collisions, 339 fatalities, and 986 injuries occurring at highway-rail grade crossings.

As the cost of gas goes up, so does the number of people who are likely to take public transportation. This is good for the environment and for your wallet. However, pedestrians and driver must be especially cautious when on or near the tracks.

Operation Lifesaver provides pedestrian railway safety tips:

1) Trains can move in either direction at any time. Trains are sometimes pushed by locomotives instead of being pulled. This is especially true in commuter and light rail passenger service.

2) Modern trains are quieter than ever, with no telltale sounds. Also, an approaching train will always be closer and moving faster than you think.

3) Cross tracks ONLY at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings. Observe and obey all warning signs and signals.

4) Never walk down a train track; it is illegal and dangerous. By the time a locomotive engineer can see a trespasser or a vehicle on the tracks, it is too late. The train cannot stop quickly enough to avoid a collision.

Full post as published by Cook County Personal Injury Lawyer on September 26, 2008 (boomark / email).