Interesting, but tragic story. Seems that this intersection needs to be reworked. The video clearly shows the error this driver made.

CHICAGO — Surveillance video shows the moments before four people were critically injured after a Metra train plowed into a vehicle in Chicago's Scottsdale neighborhood on the Southwest Side.

The incident happened around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, when southbound Train No. 833 struck a vehicle that went around the gate at 87th Street and Pulaski Avenue.

According to Metra, the lights were flashing, the gates were down and other vehicles had stopped, but the female driver sped around the gates.

However attorney Ben Crane said the video from a nearby security camera is at odds with what was said about the incident at first. Video shows the Hyundai Elantra stopped on 87th Street and Pulaski Avenue. The crossing gate are seen coming down and landing on top of the back of the car — the 26-year-old driver positioned too far into the intersection. She quickly tries to back up, but realizing she can't go anywhere, she drives forward and is hit by the southbound Metra train.

The impact critically injured three women, in their 20s, who were in the vehicle — two of them said to be in grave condition. A 19-year-old pedestrian, who was standing at a nearby bus stop, was also hospitalized.

The car was so badly damaged it took some time for emergency crews to extricate the victims.

There have been other significant incidents at this crossing in recent years. In December 2015, two people were killed and several injured in another collision between a vehicle and a train. And four years ago, a woman suffered minor injuries when a train hit her SUV at the same crossing.

Crane is suing Metra on behalf of the two young women who died in 2015.

Crews were on hand Thursday because the latest incident also caused some exterior damage to a signal station. The system remains on line and working properly.

The incident is under investigation.

LINK: https://wgntv.com/2020/02/13/p...tra-crash-injured-4/

I was on that scene, not good.

I still don't know how that 19yo is still alive. He's in bad shape...

Long story short- the train hit the car, the car (Toyota) went flying and hit the 19yo who was just standing there minding his own business. The 19yo went airborne about 30 yards before hitting the ground.

Wow - Car v Train never works out well for the car.

trying to figure out why the hell the driver just did not stay where they were instead of going forward. Also love the WGN narrative of "train barreling into car"

From the video, looks like they would've been fine had they not moved.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:
From the video, looks like they would've been fine had they not moved.

This. In her panic of getting stuck on the wrong side of the gate she drove right into the path of the train. The end of the video shows another car stuck in the same spot and she just stayed there and the train passed no problem.

Sad for sure but unfortunately there are lots of bad drivers out there making bad choices.

Well that's terrible.

Here is an overview of the intersection. Note the big gap between the rail line and the stop line for the light. People creep up - beyond the gates - probably due to the big huge gap that is present.

They are ignoring - or not seeing - the "Stop Here On Red" signage.

Very poor design decisions made there. Mixing rail and 4-way intersection is stupid design

That white line on the ground was not a “suggestion “ as many people think...much like the speed limits....

Yeah, stupid people not obeying traffic laws or having the judgement to not put their cars on the tracks.

I spent summers with my grandparents west of Chi-town and would go downtown (by myself) which included crossing a large set of train tracks (3-4 main lines and about 4 side lines).

I enjoyed watching them but learned a lot of respect for trains and not to screw with trying to race across the tracks.

While Steve 495's picture is correct, the arrow isn't.

On the top picture, it's where the red semi is, bottom picture, it's the turning lane from 87th Street on to Pulaski.

Hamden106-
It's more of a 6 way intersection. Columbus Ave / Southwest Hghy cuts thru there too.

One of the worst (and longest) intersections in the area.

The "surveillance video" was captured by a camera that the law firm installed specifically to catch another accident like this.


Moral of the story- Like my Dad drilled into my head years ago:
"Trains always, always, always win."

Having been involved with more than my fair share of (literal) train wrecks, he was right!

My dad lost some friends in high school to a train v car incident in central WV where he was from....in that inciden, his friends were stopped at crossing with two lines...they waited for train on track 1 to pass and pulled forward and never saw the train on track two

I can still hear “two tracks, two trains!” In my dad’s voice even though he’s been gone nearly 26 years

My neighborhood is bordered by one of the oldest train lines in Virginia. My kids also know the two tracks two trains mantra.

I hope all parties recover. Train accidents scare the shit out of me

Pardon me for the off topic rant, but the video reminded me how much I hate the news media. What's the purpose of having the reporter standing out front of the hospital? Fucking vultures.

quote:

According to Metra, the lights were flashing, the gates were down and other vehicles had stopped, but the female driver sped around the gates.

Officials lying in Chicago? Hard to believe!

quote:

Originally posted by MikeinNC:
That white line on the ground was not a “suggestion “ as many people think...much like the speed limits....

What????? The left lane is NOT my private race track???!
Surely you jest!

So many poor decisions all the way around. Trains and vehicles are like vehicles and bicycles etc. Driving does involve judgement, unfortunately the innocent do get tangled up in someone else's lack of judgement.