Grandpa's Condition Improving After Wife, Grandson Die In Collision

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The condition of a 70-year-old man who drove his car in front of a train in Ingleside — causing a collision that led to the deaths of his grandson and wife — is improving, authorities said Tuesday.

The man, whose name is not being released, was taken to Advocate Condell Medical Center with injuries that are not considered life-threatening following the collision at about 12:10 p.m. Friday at the railroad tracks that cross Wilson Road north of Larkin Avenue in unincorporated Antioch, according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Lake County Sheriff's Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the man's condition is improving every day.

Two backseat passengers in his Hyundai Elantra, Patricia Shemberger, 75, and Noah Kucinski, 13, died from blunt force injuries as a result of the crash. Covelli said the man and Shemberger were Kucinski's grandparents.

A preliminary investigation into the incident, which was witnessed by a sheriff's office deputy who was stopped in his car facing northbound at the tracks, shows the Hyundai Elantra was heading south on Wilson Road when the crossing's warning lights activated and gates lowered, according to the news release.

The Hyundai did not slow down, drove through the gate and directly into the path of the train, authorities said. The train struck the driver's side of the Hyundai.

Shemberger, of unincorporated Antioch, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene, according to the news release. Kucinski, of Lockport, was also pronounced dead at the scene.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and Metra police will be responsible for filing any possible charges in the case, Covelli told Patch in an email response Monday.

He said if charges are sought, it would likely take several weeks or months before those are filed.