Third Pedestrian Hit, Killed by Metra Train in Two Weeks

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.

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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 

Updated: Tuesday, 11:15 a.m. 

A man was struck and killed by a BNSF train Tuesday morning in Downers Grove, fewer than 24 hours after another man died after being hit by a train in Hinsdale Monday afternoon. 

The man was hit at Forest Avenue, near Downers Grove's Main Street train station, according to the Chicago Tribune. The site is equipped with crossing gates to the north and south, and it is not known if they malfunctioned in any way. 

Metra riders on the train involved in the incident have been transferred to another train headed toward Chicago. 

On Monday, 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, 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.