Many people may not realize that the risk of a fatal train crash is extremely high here in our part of the country. Railroad accidents seem much less likely than a motor vehicle accident in a roadway collision, after all. It is true that the danger of dying in a car crash is higher than perishing in a train accident.
Nevertheless, it is important to recognize how dangerous train crashes are here in the “Crossroads of America,” where Indiana and Illinois have reputations for being some of the most dangerous states in the nation for fatal railroad incidents.
For more, see our earlier discussion in: Fatal Railroad Accidents: Indiana and Illinois Both Rank in Top 5 for Number of Train Crash Deaths.
Recent Fatal Railroad Accident Examples
Consider the following examples of serious or deadly railroad accidents that happened in our area within the past few weeks, as reported by the local media (this is not a complete list):
Indiana: 30-Year-Old Man Killed While Trying to Run Across Tracks
On December 29, 2020, a 30-year-old man perished when he was hit by a moving CSX train at the Taylor Road rail crossing in Garrett, Indiana. From a review of the CSX train cameras, the Indiana State Police were able to confirm for reporters that the victim was running across the train tracks, going northbound, when he was hit by the train which was moving at a speed of 50 mph.
The death has been listed as an accident. State police report that the stop arm lights at the crossing were working, and the engineers blew the train’s horn several times as the train approached the crossing.
For more, read: “Indiana State Police: Train struck, killed man found along tracks in Garrett,” written by Kayla Crandall and published by WPTA21 on January 4, 2021.
Indiana: Fatal Fiery Rollover in Dwight Train Crash
Mid-morning (10:30 a.m.) on Thursday, January 21, 2021, there was a fiery crash involving a single vehicle and a moving train in Dwight, Indiana. The train crash happened where the railroad tracks cross between the 3200 and 3300 blocks of East North Road.
The Dwight Fire Chief explained to reporters that the accident apparently involved the vehicle trying to move through the intersection before the train arrived, and when the train collided with the vehicle the force of the impact was so great that the vehicle rolled over into the adjacent ditch. It caught fire.
When the Dwight firefighters successfully put out the blaze, the driver was discovered to have perished in the accident.
For more, read: “One Person Killed in Train vs. Vehicle Accident Near Dwight,” written by Justin Ritz and published by WCSJ on January 21, 2021.
Illinois: Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Metra Train
The DuPage County coroner’s office confirmed for the media that a pedestrian had been fatally struck by Metra UP-W train No. 47 near the Villa Park Station on December 29, 2020. The accident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon.
The fatal train crash stopped all Metra UP-W service for that afternoon as the tragic incident was investigated by authorities. The reasons behind the train crash victim’s death were not released.
For more, read: “Person fatally struck by Metra train in Villa Park,” published by the Chicago Sun-Times on December 29, 2020.
Indiana: Car Hit by Train in Fatal Collision at Gary Rail Crossing
According to media reports, a 29-year-old man died in a collision between his vehicle and an oncoming train at the rail crossing located at Melton Road and County Line Road in Gary, Indiana, on the evening of January 5, 2021.
Police opined to reporters that the driver had attempted to drive around the crossing gates and was unable to cross before the eastbound CSX train entered his path. Gary police have asked anyone with information on this tragic train accident to contact the Gary Police Department’s Traffic Division at 219-881-1271.
For more, read “Chicago man dies after vehicle hit by train in NW Indiana,” published by the Chicago Sun Times on January 6, 2021.
Claims for Justice in the Aftermath of a Fatal Train Crash in Indiana or Illinois
From an injury victim advocate’s perspective, it is vital that everyone in this part of the country understand that Indiana and Illinois are both recognized to be some of the most dangerous states in the country for rail collision fatalities.
Just these few examples provided above from the past month serve as a warning about the danger for both drivers and those on foot to beware any proximity to railroads and train tracks.
Of particular importance is a report from the Federal Railroad Administration that almost every (94%) rail-related death and serious injury happens because of (1) railroad crossing dangers or (2) trespassing on the train’s right-of-way.
For more on railroad crossing accidents and liability in train crashes here in Indiana and Illinois, see:
- Railroad Safety Laws and Deadly Train Wrecks in Illinois;
- Railroad Safety Laws: the Danger of Fatal Train Crashes in Indiana; and
- How Dangerous Is It To Be A Railroad Worker In Indiana or Illinois Today?
If you or a loved one is involved in a fatal railroad accident in either Indiana or Illinois, then it is imperative that you understand the legal rights that may be available under state negligence and premises liability laws as well as the particular workers’ compensation statutes that apply when a railroad employee is a victim of a train accident or collision. Please be careful out there!
