Dawn Patrol: Fatal crash slows trains; trucker's trial could end today
Fatal accident, other problems slow commute on Metra
Some Metra commuters experienced long delays last night after separate incidents — including a fatal crash — created rush-hour chaos on certain lines. On the Union Pacific Northwest Line, inbound train No. 654 struck a vehicle just before 5 p.m. at Lily Pond Road just outside Woodstock, killing one person. Full story.
Important ruling today in trucker's trial
Renato Velasquez, the Hanover Park truck driver accused of falling asleep and causing a fatal crash along eastbound I-88, may have had falsified logs in his cab at the time of the accident, but his attorney says merely possessing the books is not a crime. A judge will rule on the defense's request for a directed finding this afternoon. Full story.
Newly discovered film footage shows Eastland's toll
Immersed in hundreds of chilling photographs and tragic stories as director of the Eastland Disaster Historical Society, Ted Wachholz of Arlington Heights still wasn't prepared for the lost 100-year-old film footage released Wednesday to the public. “It literally took my breath away,” Wachholz said. Full story.
Another measles case in Cook County
The Cook County Department of Public Health confirmed another adult case of measles in the Northwest suburbs Wednesday, adding two more places of additional exposure to the public. There are now 15 confirmed measles cases in Cook County. Full story.
School bus rolls over in Lindenhurst
A Lake Villa District 41 school bus rolled over Wednesday afternoon in Lindenhurst, but no one was injured, police say. The school bus, carrying the driver and her own three children, was heading west when it jumped the curb and tipped over. Full story.
Weather
The light snow is expected to stop this morning, then turn brutally cold tonight. Temperatures are 14 degrees this morning, then expected to reach a high of only 15 degrees today, before dropping to 1 degree overnight. Full story.
Traffic
Reconstruction work will cause restrictions on Route 83 from 3rd Avenue and Mark Street in Elk Grove Village. the roadwork will last until the end of July. Full story.
Thibodeau says Rose's injury is unfair
Coach Tom Thibodeau said Derrick Rose's latest injury is basically a recurrence of last year's medial meniscus tear in Rose's right knee. The repair didn't heal completely and needs to be done again. “I don't know what to say other than it's so unfair,” Thibodeau said. “The guy has been through so much.” Full story.