Funeral services set for West Chicago toddler killed by train
Funeral arrangements have been set for 3-year-old Adrianna Victoria-Chew of West Chicago, who was killed over the weekend after being struck by a train near her home.
The toddler was in the care of her grandmother and 15-year-old cousin at the time of the accident, family members said today. The girl's mother, Johnnita, was working at a McDonald's restaurant at the time.
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The family is calling for a fence to be installed near the railroad tracks to prevent any future tragedies.
Johnnita said she had warned her children about the dangers of the train and told them to stay in the yard.
But it appears Adrianna wandered away and was playing in a field near the Elgin Joliet and Eastern Railroad tracks down the street from her home at 12:18 p.m. Saturday when a southbound train approached.
When the preschooler's 8-year-old sister and another child from the neighborhood crossed to the west side of the tracks closest to their home, Adrianna tried to follow them but was struck by the train.
She was taken to Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield where she was pronounced dead.
Viewing for the young girl will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday and the funeral will begin at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, both at Corbin Colonial Funeral Chapel, 5345 W. Madison St., Chicago.
West Chicago police say the incident is under investigation.
Alderman James Smith, whose ward extends to the field on the east side of the tracks, has checked other subdivisions near the tracks to see if they have fences and found none.
West Chicago Mayor Michael Kwasman expressed condolences to the family during Monday's city council meeting, but said there is little the city can do to prevent a repeat of this weekend's accident.
"We have no right as a community to ask the railroads to put up fencing," Kwasman said. "The railroad owns the right-of-way. Sure, we have ways of making our voice heard, and that is something that can happen.
"But whatever we do won't bring back this 3-year-old girl," he said. "That's what's breaking my heart right now."
bull; Daily Herald Staff Writer Jack Komperda contributed to this report.