Wilmette Girl Dies After Electrocution On CTA Tracks In Evanston

EVANSTON, IL — A Wilmette teen was electrocuted while walking along the CTA Purple Line tracks in Evanston and died early Wednesday, officials said.

Samantha Cerrone, 16, a sophomore at New Trier High School, was walking with another teenage girl along the tracks south of Isabella Street and north of the Central Street station shortly before 2:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to authorities.

After walking south onto the elevated portion of the tracks, Cerrone stumbled and fell onto the electrified third rail, police said.

The CTA's third rail carries 600 volts of power, which is almost always fatal, according to rail officials.

Cerrone's friend suffered non-life threatening injuries while trying to save her.

"Her injury was sustained trying to pull her friend off the rail, and she got electricity as well," Cmdr. Ryan Glew said.

Cerrone was taken to nearby Evanston Hospital and pronounced dead around 3:15 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

The cause and manner of her death remain pending, but Glew said the investigation indicates it was an accident.

Denise Dubravec, principal of New Trier's Winnetka campus, announced Cerrone's death Wednesday in a message to the school community.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that one of our students, sophomore Samantha Cerrone, has passed away following a tragic accident. Our thoughts, prayers, and love go out to her parents and all of her friends and family during this extraordinarily difficult time," Dubravec said.

"Let us come together as a New Trier family in the coming days to support Samantha’s friends and family and any others who may be touched by this news."