Vehicle Struck By Metra Train In Des Plaines
(STMW) -- A train struck a vehicle in northwest suburban Des Plaines Monday afternoon, temporarily halting some inbound and outbound Metra trains, while leading to the cancellation of several others along the Union Pacific Northwest line.
Train no. 623 on the Union Pacific / Northwest line struck a vehicle shortly after 4 p.m. at the River Road intersection in Des Plaines, Metra spokesperson Meg Reile said. Passengers aboard the train had to exit at Des Plaines.
The driver of a 2005 Ford Taurus traveling westbound on Miner Street attempted to turn southbound onto River Road and lost traction on the snow-covered roadway, according to a statement from Des Plaines police. While the driver attempted to reverse the vehicle off the railroad tracks, the gates and signals activated.
The westbound train struck the front driver side of the vehicle and caused "extensive damage," police said. No one was injuried and no charges were filed.
Trains traveling to Chicago's Ogilvie Transportation Center, Crystal Lake and Harvard resumed service about 5:40 p.m., with delays between 15 and 65 minutes, according to Metra.
Train no. 651, scheduled to depart Ogilvie at 6:01 p.m. for Crystal Lake was canceled, along with inbound trains nos. 650 and 623, both bound for Ogilvie from Des Plaines, according to Metra' website.
The Des Plaines station's ticket office was also closed until further notice, according to Metra.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2014. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
