Elgin man killed by train returning from fishing trip

The Elgin resident struck and killed by a train Monday night was apparently returning from a fishing trip, according to Metra officials.

Metra spokeswoman Meg Reile said Jose Medrano, 45, was following a second man across the tracks near Kimball Street in Elgin. The second man told police he saw the train approaching and told Medrano to hurry. By that point it was too late.

Medrano was pronounced dead on the scene.

Reile said the engineer operating the train sounded the horn multiple times after seeing the pedestrians on the track and tried to make an emergency stop. Train 2254 had left the Big Timber Road station at 9:10 p.m., three minutes before the accident on the 600 block of North State Street.

Metra police responded to the scene Monday night and handled the investigation but Elgin police were present as well.

Elgin Cmdr. Glenn Theriault said suicide was not suspected in Medrano's death.

“We believe this is nothing short of a tragic accident,” Theriault said.