Clarendon Hills, IL – Woman Killed, Four Hurt in Metra Train Accident Involving Semi-Truck

Clarendon Hills, IL (May 11, 2022) – A Metra train passenger died and four others were hurt on Wednesday morning, May 11, after a BNSF Railway line train struck a semi-truck in west suburban Clarendon Hills, which also caused the truck to burst into flames.

The BNSF Railway was shut down until late in the afternoon. Preliminary reports suggest that the incident happened around 8:00 a.m. when the truck got stuck behind another car right before the collision. According to a Metra representative, a woman in her 60s was flung off the train and killed as a result of the incident. Two passengers, a conductor, and an engineer were among the four other victims aboard the train who sustained minor injuries.

The truck driver escaped injury before the train collided with the vehicle, though the crash caused the truck to flip over and explode into flames. The accident also caused power wires above the vehicle to catch fire, according to the local firefighters’ organization.

Crews were on the scene to transfer the four injured victims to an area medical center, while police assisted in the early stages of the investigation. The events unfolding prior to the deadly accident remain under active investigation, however.

Our deepest condolences are with the loved ones of the deceased woman.

Commuter Train Accident Deaths in Illinois

Since its creation in 1996, BNSF Railway, one of the major railroad and train companies in North America, has suffered a slew of catastrophic accidents and fatalities. In fact, over the last two decades, officials have documented at least 15 or more serious events involving injuries and fatalities.

In addition, Illinois has the second-highest number of railway crossings in the U.S., trailing only Texas. Needless to say, Illinois ranks among the top states in the nation for railway accidents, with train crossings in rural regions and busy tracks in the Chicagoland area.

As high-speed rail and metro trains become increasingly popular around the country, it’s more crucial than ever for legislators to prioritize safety standards and for commuters to be vigilant. Though deadly railway accidents are still uncommon in comparison to vehicle accidents, they are all too prevalent in the Chicago region and beyond.

Emotional distress, high treatment costs, long-term health problems, and loss of earnings are just a few of the catastrophic repercussions that can afflict victims of these accidents. If a victim dies, their bereaved loved ones may be burdened with large medical bills and funeral expenses, all while attempting to grieve their loss.

That’s why, if you’ve been hurt in one of these accidents, you should contact a Chicago train accident lawyer at your earliest possible convenience. The Illinois Wrongful Death Act permits persons who have been harmed by the carelessness of another party to seek compensation from the liable person or corporation. If a lawsuit is successful, money is given to family members or close relatives. However, in a wrongful death lawsuit, securing a complete and fair monetary compensation can be challenging for victims. Thus, hiring an attorney as quickly as possible after an accident is critical.

We at the D&W Law Group are familiar with the complexities of the Illinois legal system. Moreover, we think that bereaved families should never be forced to pay for their loved one’s medical expenditures or funerary costs when they’ve been killed in a preventable accident.

When you contact our knowledgeable and seasoned legal team, we will compile the facts of your case and file your claim as soon as possible. As a consequence, you and your family may feel certain that you have the best chance of success for your accident claim.

Please contact the D&W Law Group at 312-888-8888 for a no-cost, personalized session suited to your specific needs. Our dedicated and caring Chicagoland-area wrongful death attorneys are ready to evaluate your legal options, organize the facts surrounding your claim, and help you seek justice for your lost loved one as soon as you’re ready.

Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources including news reports, police accident reports, social media posts, and sometimes, eyewitness accounts to compose these posts. Our firm has not independently verified any of the facts surrounding this particular accident, therefore, if you locate any information that is not correct, please let us know right away. We will correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available. We will remove a post upon request. 

Disclaimer: This is not a solicitation for business. The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal advice or medical advice. If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, always seek medical assistance as soon as possible. The photo used in this post was not taken at the described accident scene.