NTSB: Train-truck collision sent woman through train window
CLARENDON HILLS, Ill. (AP) - A woman who died when a commuter train collided with a semitrailer at a crossing in suburban Chicago was thrown through a train window by the force of the crash, the vice chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday.
A 'œtremendous amount of force propelled" the woman through the window, the NTSB'S Bruce Landsberg said at a news briefing.
The collision killed Christina Lopez, 72, of Downers Grove, DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen said.
Nothing was preventing the truck from moving off the rail crossing, Landsberg said.
'œWe don't know why the truck did not move,'ť he said. 'œThe truck could have moved. It didn't.'ť
Investigators believe an ensuing fire occurred when a diesel fuel tank on the truck was punctured and fuel came in contact with something hot, Landsberg said.
The Metra train's engineer and conductor also were injured in the crash about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in Clarendon Hills, a rail spokesman said.
No one in the truck was hurt.
The crash halted inbound and outbound rail service near Clarendon Hills.