Fatal Train Crash: Clarendon Hills Defends Road Project

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – A lawyer last week suggested that problems in construction near the railroad crossing in Clarendon Hills may have led to a woman's death.

Authorities said a Metra train hit a truck on the tracks last Wednesday. One of the train's passengers, Christina Lopez, 72, of Downers Grove, died in the crash. Her family's lawyer called the crash "an accident waiting to happen."

Patch tried to find out which agency was in charge of the project.

It first asked Clarendon Hills Assistant Village Manager Zach Creer. In an email Friday, he said it was the Illinois Department of Transportation's project.

So Patch contacted Illinois Department of Transportation spokesman Guy Tridgell. In an email, he said Prospect Avenue was not a state route and that he could not find any projects in the general area. He asked Patch for more detailed information.

Patch contacted Creer, who then gave the project number in an email.

Tridgell said the Department of Transportation was not leading the project. Because some federal money was involved, he said, the state agency has some financial oversight. He also said his agency handled the contract selection process.

"But the project itself and the contractors are managed by the village," Tridgell said in an email. "They would be in the best position to tell you the status of the project and the day-to-day activities."

The project in question is being done by BNSF railroad in connection with the village, Tridgell said. It is part of a downtown revitalization project.

Contacted again, Creer described the project. He said the village was working with BNSF, the Department of Transportation and other parties to finish the paving.

"It is the Village's road, (Illinois Commerce Commission's) crossing, IDOT/federal funding and BNSF's railroad. Design and construction details are done to each agency's standards," he said in an email.

He said everyone should let the National Transportation Safety Board finish its investigation into the causes.

He noted the NTSB said in its news conference last week that the truck was able to cross the tracks, but did not.

"Preliminary information is the truck stalled," Creer said. "It is unclear if (there was) mechanical or operator error. Construction being responsible is pure conjecture. The Village has not been provided any details as to what the claim is, so is unable to respond to any specifics."