I was coming back from taking photos on the Aurora Sub. When I heard the defect detector at MP 56.9, I was about 10 Min. from Somonauk shortly after The BNSF Mainline dispatcher came on and Said Amtrak 95 West you said you had a collision with a car ? The Mendoata Sub was shut down with BNSF 8593 tied down at MP 62. I drove down to MP 59.48 Green St. and saw the car parts on Main 1 and 2. Amtrak 95 was parked about a 1/4 down on main 1 past the crossovers with Emergency crews. The crossing gates were undamaged so it appears the car drove into the crossing. It was about 3 PM and the Amtrak was still there at 7 PM. Main2 was not fouled and Amtrak 95 did not derail. no one on the train was hurt but the car driver was killed. BNSF on main 2 East was able to roll at 7PM. Amtrak 14 on Main2 West came to a stop before the Green Street crossing and the scanner said the conductor was on the ground and protecting the crossing it was a little after 7:30 Pm ans Amtrak 14 slowly rolled through.
Its sad but did the driver dive around the gates?
Yes he drove around the gates. I zoomed in on the photo of Amtrak 95 and can see a camera in the cab so they must have the footage. BNSF crew were on hand to check the crossing data also. Very sad.
Everyone is in such a freaking hurry its sad :(. I feel worse for the engineer then the driver honestly he drove around the gates so he knew the risk he was taking.
I feel sorry for the driver, his family, and the engineer. It is bad for all of them. It is lucky that the train did not derail.
Happened few years ago in city proper - young man late to work and went around gates - didn't guesstimate speed and distance of EB Amtrak properly. Forever young man....
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
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