La Grange Train Accident; Rail Crossing Closed in La Grange After Train Hits Semitruck
A rail crossing in the western Chicago suburb of La Grange was shut down Friday afternoon following a collision between a freight train and a semitruck, according to local authorities.
The incident prompted an immediate emergency response and has significantly disrupted traffic and commuter rail services in the area. The collision occurred at a rail crossing along the BNSF Railway line, a major freight and commuter corridor that passes through the heart of La Grange.
While the exact time of the crash has not been released, officials confirmed that it took place during the early afternoon, prompting swift action from police and first responders. As of Friday evening, the crossing remains closed as investigators work to determine the cause and impact of the collision.
According to the La Grange Police Department, motorists and pedestrians are strongly advised to avoid the area until further notice. Police tape and roadblocks have been set up to secure the site, and traffic is being diverted onto alternate routes.
Officers are also on hand to assist with rerouting and to ensure the safety of residents in the surrounding neighborhoods. A heavy presence of emergency personnel, including fire crews and railway safety inspectors, remains at the scene.
At this time, it is unclear whether there were any injuries as a result of the crash. Authorities have not released information about the condition of the truck driver or the crew aboard the train.
The extent of the damage to the train and the semitruck also remains unknown. However, visual accounts from local witnesses and preliminary reports suggest that the impact was substantial enough to bring both vehicles to a halt at the crossing.
Metra, the region’s commuter rail agency, issued a service advisory shortly after the incident, warning riders to expect delays on its BNSF line in both directions. Although the train involved in the collision was not a Metra train, the freight blockage has affected the flow of traffic along the shared tracks.
In a brief statement, Metra confirmed that none of its trains were directly involved but acknowledged that passengers could experience service interruptions as a result of the investigation and cleanup efforts.
The BNSF Railway, which operates freight service through the corridor, has not released a public statement. It is not yet clear what the semitruck was carrying or whether the driver attempted to cross the tracks as the train approached.
Railway crossings in La Grange are protected by gates and signals, but officials will likely be reviewing whether all safety measures were functioning at the time of the incident.
Local residents expressed concern about the growing number of incidents at area crossings. “It’s scary because this is a busy route for both cars and trains,” said one nearby resident. “You just hope no one was hurt.”
As investigators from local police and rail authorities continue to assess the scene, further details are expected in the coming hours. In the meantime, the crossing will remain closed, and delays on Metra’s BNSF line are anticipated to persist into the evening commute.
