advertisement

Lake Zurich police identify boy hit by freight train

A 15-year-old Lake Zurich boy was in a hospital intensive care unit Tuesday after being struck by a freight train.

Lake Zurich police Sgt. Robert Johnson said the boy didn't have any identification when he was hit by the Canadian National Railroad train about 5:35 a.m. Monday. Police attempted to identify the teen for more than a day.

As authorities were still trying to figure out who was struck by the freight train late Tuesday morning, Johnson said, the teen's parents reported him missing from their Lake Zurich home. He said police showed the parents a picture of the seriously injured person who had been struck by the train, which led to the positive identification.

Johnson said police brought the parents to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where the 15-year-old boy was in the intensive care unit.

Lake Zurich detectives are working the case with Canadian National police. The boy was hit on Canadian National's tracks near the Rand Road overpass.

Authorities said they initially believed the boy was in his early to mid-20s. Police said the teenager was carrying a blue backpack with items typically used by artists when he was struck.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.