A driver was cited after she told police her car “shut off” and she had to abandon it on the railroad tracks just before a Metra train struck it in Lake Forest Friday afternoon.
The Lake Forest Police Department, Metra Police Department and Lake Forest Fire Department responded around 2:25 p.m. Friday to Western Avenue and Ryan Place in Lake Forest for a report of a crash involving a train and car.
Lake Forest Deputy Police Chief R.D. Copeland said a preliminary investigation revealed a female driver of a white 2023 Ford Explorer was driving westbound on Ryan Place from Washington Road.
She approached the train crossing prior to the stop sign at Western Ave.
A car was already stopped at the stop sign, resulting in the female driver stopping on the tracks and waiting for traffic to clear, Copeland said.
The driver of the Ford told officers her car “shut off” and she was trying to get it restarted when she saw a northbound train traveling her way, Copeland said.
She abandoned the Ford on the tracks and Metra train 346 struck her vehicle.
The train was an inbound train on the Union Pacific North line.
Train 346 was scheduled to arrive at Ogilvie Transportation Center in Chicago at 3:26 p.m., Metra said.
There were no reported injuries among the train crew, train riders and the Ford driver.
The Ford suffered significant damage but officers were able to start the vehicle and it was towed from the scene.
The driver was issued traffic citations and was released with a mandatory court date of June 6.
Train traffic, both inbound and outbound, was temporarily halted following the collision.