Train hits car in Downers Grove

If there is such a thing as the equivalent of a fender bender in a car versus train accident, it happened Friday afternoon in Downers Grove.

At around 3:30 p.m., according to Downers Grove police, a man driving a sedan north on Main Street made a right turn onto the train tracks just as freight train was approaching from the east.

Downers Grove police Lt. Mike Willison said the train’s engineer saw what was about to happen and hit the brakes. Meanwhile, the driver of the vehicle had the presence of mind to leave the car before the freight arrived.

By the time the freight hit the vehicle, the train was only moving at a speed of about 3 mph. And when it hit, it only lightly struck the back of the car.

“It tapped it,” Willison said. “It was basically a property damage accident, luckily.”

Downers Grove police said there were no injuries. In fact, Willison said, the driver was able to drive the car from the scene.

Police said two of the three tracks were kept open while the scene was being cleared, a process that only took about 45 minutes.