Crime & Safety
Woman Who Died In Clarendon Hills Train Crash Identified
Downers Grove woman often took the train to La Grange to see her sister, family said.
CLARENDON HILLS, IL – The woman who died in Wednesday's train crash in Clarendon Hills was identified by her family Thursday.
She is Christina Lopez, 72, of Downers Grove.
In a news conference, the family said she frequently took rides on the Metra train from Downers Grove to La Grange, where she visited her sister.
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According to Metra, a passenger train struck a box truck that was on the tracks. The truck swung around in a way that hit a passenger car, killing Lopez and causing non-life-threatening injuries to four others.
Jeff Klonowski, Lopez's son-in-law, spoke on behalf of the family at the news conference. He said the family was seeking any video of the crash to provide answers about what happened.
Find out what's happening in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hillsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"We want to do our part to help, so no family has to go through this tragedy," he said. "It didn't have to happen."
Klonowski called Lopez "the glue" that held the family together. The family spent Mother's Day with her.
He said she was a good cook, saying he loved her chicken tacos.
"I came to enjoy Mexican food joining this family," he said.
The grieving period, he said, would be long.
"It's a shock," Klonowski said. "No one expects this. It's a tragedy that no one should endure. It's something that happens in life. It's a sharp reminder to take advantage of the time you have with loved ones. Focus on what's important."
He said Lopez moved to Downers Grove from Chicago some years ago. He said she worked in cleaning, including at a Chicago TV station.
"She wanted to be closer to family. We were very fortunate for a few years to have her close by," Klonowski said.
He said the family knew nothing more about the National Transportation Safety Board investigation than anyone else. The agency is expected to hold a news conference later Thursday afternoon.
Metra reported the box truck burst into flames. The driver apparently got out of the truck before the crash.
Train service in Clarendon Hills has been stopped while the NTSB pursues its investigation.
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