Funeral services are set for Monday for a 51-year-old man and father of two who died when a train struck his car in Hainesville as his family says they are heartbroken by the “unimaginable loss.”
The Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District and Metra Police Department responded around 12:06 p.m. Thursday to the area of Belvidere Road and Centre Drive in Hainesville for a report of a crash involving a train.
Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Jay VandeBerg said the crash involved a single vehicle and a Metra train.
Emergency crews arrived to find the vehicle had sustained significant damage in the crash with the train.
Firefighters extricated an occupant from the vehicle, VandeBerg said.
The victim was transported by ambulance to Advocate Condell Medical Center in critical condition, VandeBerg said.
Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek said the victim, identified as Pete Kostopoulos, 51, of Elk Grove Village, died in the emergency room.
Preliminary autopsy results showed that Kostopoulos died of blunt force injuries as a result of the crash.
VandeBerg said a second patient was transported from the scene in stable condition.
Metra spokeswoman Meg Reilly said Metra trains were halted for several hours between Grayslake and Fox Lake on the Milwaukee District North line to allow the Metra Police Department an opportunity to investigate the crash.
Kostopoulos’ death was a “tragic accident” and his life was taken “far too soon,” said Stacy Kostopoulos.
“Our family is heartbroken, and there are truly no words to describe the pain and devastation we are feeling during this unimaginable loss,” she said.
The family created a GoFundMe account that has raised almost $29,000 as of Monday to help with funeral arrangements and other unexpected expenses.
An obituary for Kostopoulos said he was a beloved husband, father, son, brother and friend.
He was married for 25 years leading up to his death and also leaves behind two daughters.
“Pete will be remembered for his kind heart, humor, dedication to family, and the love he shared with all who knew him. His strength, faith, and generosity touched countless lives, and his memory will remain eternal in the hearts of those he leaves behind,” his obituary said.
A visitation is set for 12 p.m. Monday until the time of the funeral service at 1 p.m. at Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Elmhurst, with a burial to follow at Arlington Cemetery.
VendeBerg said the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District was assisted on the scene by the Grayslake Police Department, Metra Police Department and Round Lake Beach Police Department.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Metra Police Department, Reilly said.