One person was killed and two others injured Thursday morning after a landscape company vehicle collided with a freight train at an Elgin railroad crossing on State Street, officials said.
Kane County Deputy Coroner Loren Carrera said the name of the victim will not be released until the person is positively identified and next of kin notified.
The crash occurred about 6:30 a.m., forcing the closure of State Street between Chicago and National streets, Elgin police said in a Facebook post. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and the others transported to a local hospital.
No other details about how the collision might have occurred were disclosed.
At the crash scene, south of Chicago Street and north of Locust Street, a damaged trailer belonging to Elgin landscape company Cornerstone Partners could be seen a few feet away from the tracks. An Elgin Police Department chaplain was on the scene talking to police officers and bystanders.
“We are profoundly saddened and heartbroken by the tragedy that occurred today involving our crew,” a statement from Cornerstone Partners said.
“The entire Cornerstone Partners family is trying to process this horrific incident. We can confirm the loss of one dedicated team member and injuries to two others, who are currently receiving medical care. At this moment, our absolute focus is on supporting the families and employees impacted by providing all necessary resources.”
The collision involved a Union Pacific train, according to UP spokeswoman Robynn Tysver. No members of the train crew were injured, she said.
According to the police department’s Facebook page, temporary stop signs will be placed at the railroad crossing “until the conclusion of the investigation that includes Union Pacific completing appropriate inspections.”
“Union Pacific will also be implementing precautionary safety measures that will include a stop and protect protocol, which involves a train conductor who will visually verify that all traffic is stopped before the train proceeds. This protocol will be in effect seven days a week. Train traffic is scheduled for seven days weeks from 5 to 7 a.m. and from 9 to 10 p.m.”
It’s not known if the National Transportation Safety Board, which has been impacted by the federal government shutdown, has responded to the crash scene. NTSB Media Relations, responding to a note sent by The Courier-News, said it “will not be able to respond to all inquiries. We will issue written statements announcing new investigations and other agency information.”
Charlotte Jones, who lives in an apartment complex on Locust Street, was at the nearby J.J. Peppers Food Store on State Street when she heard “a loud kaboom.”
“I thought it was thunder or something,” said Jones, who later learned the sound was the result of the collision.
Tatiana Robles arrived at her job at the J.J. Peppers store to see police filling State Street. It was only after she spoke to an eyewitness that she knew what happened.
The witness told her of the crash, noting that the crossing gates did not come down, Robles said. That information has not been confirmed by police.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
