Freight Train Collision Kills 1, Injures 2 at Elgin Illinois Railroad Crossing

Around 6:30 a.m. Thursday a Union Pacific freight locomotive struck a pickup truck towing a landscaping trailer at the State Street railroad crossing in Elgin, shutting down State Street between Chicago and National (near Locust). A passenger in the truck was pronounced dead at the scene and two other adults — confirmed by Cornerstone Partners to be co-workers — were taken to area hospitals; their conditions have not been released. Video and on-scene reports show significant damage and debris near the crossing, and police closed the road while investigators from the Elgin Police Department Traffic Unit worked the scene. Authorities said the train was a lone engine and its crew were not injured. Temporary stop signs will be posted and Union Pacific will conduct inspections and implement a “stop and protect” protocol and other daily safety measures requiring conductors to verify all traffic is stopped before proceeding as the investigation continues.