Another Man Dies After Being Hit by Metra Train in Downers Grove

Updated at 12:05 p.m.

The male pedestrian who died Tuesday morning after being struck by an eastbound commuter train near the Forest Avenue crossing in Downers Grove disobeyed crossing gates that were down, according to a statement released by the Downers Grove Police Department at 11:48 a.m.

Sign up for our daily email newsletter

Like us on Facebook.

According to the statement, the incident was reported to police at 9:49 a.m. The pedestrian, whose identity has not been released, walked around crossing gates while the Metra commuter train was west of the crossing, traveling east.

"Witnesses stated that the crossing gates were down and functioning at the time of the accident," the release reads.

Lt. Michael Willison said it cannot be concluded yet if the pedestrian intended to be struck or if it was an accident. 

By Joe O'Donnell 

Update: Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. 

For the second time in 24 hours, a BNSF Metra line train has been stopped because of a "pedestrian incident." 

An inbound train has been stopped at the Downers Grove Main Street stop following an accident involving a pedestrian, according to Metra. 

"Train #1262, scheduled to depart Aurora at 9:20 a.m. and arrive Chicago at 10:47 a.m., is presently stopped at Downers Grove-Main Street due to a pedestrian incident," an advisory on Metra's website reads. "The train could be delayed 30 to 40 minutes.  Updates will be posted as soon as more information becomes available."

A 42-year-old male pedestrian was struck and killed by an eastbound Metra commuter train while crossing the tracks on foot at the West Hinsdale train station Monday afternoon, according to Hinsdale Police Department deputy chief Mark Wodka.

The incident took place at approximately 3 p.m. The man was from Clarendon Hills. 

Bloom said Monday night that, though the department is waiting on a coroner's report, it appears based on witness accounts and surveillance video of the incident that the man intentionally stepped in front of the train.

"We can say fairly conclusively that it does not appear to be an accident," Bloom said.

Bloom estimated the train, which was carrying commuters, would have been traveling around 30 mph through the station. 

The identity of the deceased has yet to be released by police.

The death is the second this month of a pedestrian being killed by a BNSF Metra train. On March 7, 31-year-old Eric Bennett of Hickory Hills was struck and killed in Westmont. That incident is still under investigation.

Update: Monday, March 18, 6:11 p.m.

The Hinsdale Police Department has released a brief statement on the death of a pedestrian who was struck by an inbound Metra train near the West Hinsdale station Monday afternoon.

It reads:

On this date at approximately 3 p.m., a pedestrian was fatally struck at the West Hinsdale train station by an inbound commuter train. The pedestrian, a 42-year-old male, was struck in the tracks as the train approached the [station]. No other vehicles or persons are believed to have been involved in this incident. 

Officials are continuing to determine the cause of the incident pending the investigation of the DuPage County Coroner’s Office. This is a death investigation and remains open at this time.  

By Joe O'Donnell