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Amtrak Train strikes Car Somonauk IL.

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  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Monday, April 4, 2016 4:09 PM

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

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • 8,221 posts
Posted by Euclid on Monday, April 4, 2016 11:27 AM

 

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.

 

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • 48 posts
Posted by LUKE SOLBERG on Monday, April 4, 2016 10:27 AM

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.

  • Member since
    December 2014
  • 61 posts
Posted by power58 on Monday, April 4, 2016 10:22 AM

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.

  • Member since
    September 2014
  • 48 posts
Posted by LUKE SOLBERG on Monday, April 4, 2016 9:58 AM

Its sad but did the driver dive around the gates?

  • Member since
    December 2014
  • 61 posts
Amtrak Train strikes Car Somonauk IL.
Posted by power58 on Monday, April 4, 2016 9:41 AM

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.    

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