BNSF Train Crash Kills 64-Year-Old Near Wilmington

WILMINGTON, IL - The Will County Sheriff’s Office responded to a deadly wreck involving a BNSF freight train that crashed into a pick-up truck. A 64-year-old Coal City man died in Monday afternoon’s collision near Cooper and Murphy Road. The crash happened in Wilmington Township around 1:20 p.m.

The man was ejected from his truck when the train struck his pickup, authorities said. On Wednesday, the Will County Coroner's Office identified the Coal City man as Dennis J. Siebersma.

According to Will County Sheriff's Office Spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer:

The northbound BNSF freight train struck the GMC Sierra 2500 that was heading in a westbound direction. The truck came to rest upside down approximately 150 feet north of the railroad crossing.

The crossing signal, signal bells and crossing gates were still operating after the crash. The train engineer was unharmed and is being interviewed by sheriff's deputies.

The Coal City man who was thrown from his truck was dead at the scene. The Wilmington Fire was on scene and the Will County Coroner’s Office were called to the scene.

Initial reports also indicate the Coal City victim may have been stuck in a gravel area on the north side of the railroad crossing when he was struck.

The Will County Sheriff’s Accident Reconstruction Unit is on the scene investigating the circumstances of the train fatality near Wilmington.