A Metra train struck and killed a person Monday evening near Lombard, halting service on the Union Pacific-West line for hours during the evening commute.
Metra Train #51 hit a person near Lombard, prompting the transit agency to stop all inbound and outbound train movement on the UP-West line while officials responded to the scene.
The transit agency did not release many details about the person involved or the circumstances of the incident, only confirming that extensive delays were expected for riders.
The crash disrupted one of Metra’s busiest commuter routes right as evening travel was picking up, leaving passengers stranded or facing long waits as crews worked to clear the area and complete their investigation.
Scene Near the Tracks
Traffic came to a stop near the railroad tracks along North Grace Street and East St. Charles Road, according to Google Maps data showing congestion in the area. The Village of Lombard confirmed in a social media post that a large police presence had gathered near Parkside Avenue, between Grace Street and Stewart Avenue, as authorities investigated close to the tracks.
Drivers in the area were urged to steer clear of the location and find alternate routes while police and Metra personnel worked the scene. The combination of blocked roads and suspended train service created ripple effects for commuters trying to get home Monday night, with some forced to seek alternate transportation options entirely.
Metra has not said how long the person had been on or near the tracks before the train struck them, nor has it indicated whether the incident is being treated as accidental or otherwise. Investigations into fatal train strikes typically involve local police departments working alongside Metra’s own safety and operations teams to reconstruct what happened in the moments leading up to the crash.
By late Monday evening, an editor’s note attached to the original report confirmed that service on the line had resumed, though delays continued to affect riders even after trains started moving again. It remains unclear exactly how long the full shutdown lasted or how many trains and passengers were affected during the disruption.
This is a developing story, and further updates are expected as Metra and local authorities release more information about the person killed and the circumstances surrounding the crash. Commuters who regularly use the UP-West line are advised to check Metra’s official alerts before heading to the station, since aftereffects from Monday’s disruption could continue to cause delays or schedule changes in the days ahead.
No additional details, including the identity of the victim, had been made public as of the latest update to this story.
