Man killed when struck by Metra train in Palatine

A 30-year-old man was killed Saturday night when a Metra train struck him after he apparently walked onto the tracks just west of downtown Palatine, authorities said.

Palatine Police Chief Alan Stoeckel said the train's engineer reported that the man, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of family, appeared to have intentionally stepped in front of the oncoming train.

Metra spokeswoman Meg Reile said Train 725 from Chicago to Harvard on the Union Pacific Northwest line was traveling between 55 to 60 mph when it struck the person after departing the Palatine station at about 9:30 p.m.

The closest intersection is Colfax Street and Quentin Road, she added.

Reile said the train was held on the tracks for two hours and 26 minutes while authorities investigated.