One person is dead and two others in hospital after a freight train collided with a landscaping truck this morning in Elgin.
According to authorities, at approximately 6:30am this morning, the Elgin Police and Fire Department responded to a crash involving a Union Pacific train and a vehicle at the railroad crossing at State Street north of Locust Street.
The adult passenger of the vehicle was pronounced deceased on scene, while two other adults were transported to an area hospital.
Elgin police have announced that there will be temporary stop signs at the railroad crossing until the conclusion of the investigation, which includes the Union Pacific completing appropriate inspections. Union Pacific will also be implementing precautionary safety measures that will include a stop and protect protocol which involves a train conductor who will visually verify that all traffic is stopped before the train proceeds. This protocol will be in effect seven days a week.
Train traffic is scheduled for seven days per week from 5:00am to 7:00am and from 9:00pm to 10:00pm.
