Sailor struck and killed by train in Highwood
A Metra train struck and killed a 23-year-old recent Navy graduate in Highwood, Lake County Coroner Dr. Richard Keller confirmed Wednesday.
The Union Pacific North Line train was headed from Chicago to Kenosha when it struck Chase Church, of California, about 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, just north of the Highwood station, authorities said.
Keller said Church and a group of friends — all recent Navy graduates were trying to beat the train across the tracks when he was hit.
He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, Keller said.
The train, number 343, was stopped for nearly two hours near Washington Avenue following the accident, Metra spokesman Michael Gillis said.
About five trains behind number 343 stopped during the investigation, but Gillis said they started moving again after some delays.