Woman, stuck on tracks, bolts car in Hinsdale before train hits

Jill Dessauer was headed to work, the lone motorist waiting to cross railroad tracks on Stough Street in Hinsdale near the end of the record-breaking snowstorm, at 6 a.m. Wednesday.

The roads, she said, were pretty well cleared by then, but the crossing was slushy and snow-packed.

So much so that when she drove through the crossing, her car got stuck on the middle track from the accumulation of snow there, Dessauer said.

The 46-year-old Downers Grove woman called police, at 6:01 a.m., as she exited her car. And got far away.

Sure enough, a Metra train traveling 70 mph came along a few minutes later and pulverized Dessauer's car. She said Metra officials told her the train crew did not know if the car was occupied.

"They were looking all over for me," she said.

Hinsdale police said the build up of snow was probably caused by the passing trains. They commended Dessauer for quickly abandoning her car - a 25th wedding anniversary present her husband Steve bought her a few years ago.

"After realizing she was stuck, she did the right thing by getting out of the car and calling 911 to avoid any possible injuries," Deputy Chief Mark Wodka said.

He said officers came to the scene to try and free the vehicle, but not before the Burlington Northern train hit the car.

Wodka said no citations were issued, but the accident remains under investigation. Some trains were late because of the accident.

Hours later, Dessauer was back out on the road, trying her luck again.

"I figured if I survived getting hit by a train, I should play the Lotto."