Person Killed When Metra Train Hits Vehicle In Arlington Heights
(STMW) -- A person was killed Thursday afternoon when a Metra train on the Union Pacific/Northwest Line struck a vehicle in northwest suburban Arlington Heights.
Inbound train No. 646, scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 3:23 p.m., was halted about 2:30 p.m. after striking the vehicle near Euclid Avenue near the Arlington Heights station, Metra spokeswoman Meg Reile said.
A person was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.
Witnesses say the driver of the vehicle ignored warning lights and drove around the gates. The vehicle was dragged hundreds of yards and ignited after impact.
All inbound and outbound trains were temporarily halted in the area, but one of the three tracks was reopened about 3:40 p.m., Reile said. Passengers on train No. 646 will be accommodated by train No. 648, which was scheduled to arrive in Chicago at 4:23 p.m. but was operating 30 to 40 minutes behind schedule.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2016. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
