Chicago – A commuter train slammed into five cars trapped in rush-hour traffic at an Elmwood Park, Ill., crossing Wednesday night, causing a thunderous chain reaction that tore several vehicles apart and left 16 people injured, three critically.
The area around the wide, diagonal crossing was littered with glass and twisted metal.
Witnesses heard a deafening metallic screech as the train pushed one car for nearly a block. Another car burst into flames, and nearby motorists pulled the driver to safety.
Residents and Elmwood Park officials said this intersection, just west of a traffic light, has long been problematic, with motorists routinely trying to squeeze across the tracks as the gates are coming down.
“People violate the gates constantly,” said Elmwood Park Fire Chief Michael Marino. “I see cars, kids on bikes, motorcycles, ladies with shopping bags going under the gates when a train is coming. My opinion is that someone tried to beat the gates and people followed him, and then this is the consequence.”
The train crosses four-lane Grand Avenue at an angle, making the crossing unusually long.
Witnesses said eastbound traffic was gridlocked from the traffic light back to the train tracks.
Officials with Metra, the region’s commuter rail operator, said an express train going through this area would normally be traveling about 68 mph.
Metra spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet said the train – a locomotive and six passenger cars – typically carries about 500 passengers, but it wasn’t full. Only three people aboard were hurt.
Mike Stead, rail-safety program administrator for the Illinois Commerce Commission, said witness accounts clashed on whether the crossing gates were functioning properly at the time of the collision.
Benjamin Toro, 16, of Melrose Park, Ill., was in a Honda Element just east of the train tracks, waiting for the red light to change. He saw the crossing gate go down behind him but he kept seeing cars coming across the tracks. He then realized cars on the crossing were trying to get out of the way. “Then I saw the train coming,” he said.
Toro said the train pushed another car into his. “I just thought, ‘I hope I don’t get hurt. I hope I’m still alive after this.”‘
