Crime & Safety

BNSF Trains Stopped in Downers Grove after Freight Train Strikes Car

The car was already on the tracks as the train approached, and the engineer's quick-thinking allowed him to coast into the station.

Metra service on the BNSF line has been halted after a freight train struck a car near the Main Street station in Downers Grove Friday afternoon.  

Crews are still looking into the incident, which took place about 3:30 p.m. It appears the driver of the car became confused and ended up driving onto the tracks. The car was already on the tracks when the train approached and struck it, said Metra spokesperson Meg Reile. 

No Metra trains were involved, but all inbound and outbound tracks are blocked as the incident unfolds, ABC7 Chicago reports

Find out what's happening in Downers Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

All trains between Chicago and Aurora are being stopped near the site as of 4 p.m. and may be delayed up to an hour and a half, according to Metra's website.

The engineer of the approaching train saw the car in time and was able to coast up to the station, only lightly striking the car on the tracks. The car will need to be lifted off the tracks and the tracks will need to be inspected before Metra trains will begin moving again, Reile said. 

Find out what's happening in Downers Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The condition of the vehicle's driver is not known at this time. 

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