A driver was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after his vehicle was hit by a freight train, causing multiple railroad crossings to be blocked in Lake Forest Friday morning.
The Lake Forest Police Department and Lake Forest Fire Department responded around 11:35 a.m. Friday to the area of Old Mill Road and Waukegan Road for a vehicle crash with injuries.
Lake Forest Deputy Police Chief Kevin Zelk said the incident involved a vehicle and a freight train.
Emergency personnel arrived and found that a white Audi sedan had been struck by a southbound train.
The driver, a man in his 50s, was transported by ambulance to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville in serious condition, Zelk said.
The Metra Police Department said that the victim was in critical but stable condition.
He was reported to be unconscious and barely breathing at the scene. No one else was injured.
An initial report from a 911 caller indicated the car was split in half; however, it remained intact but was heavily damaged.
The collision involved a Kansas City Southern freight train, which was traveling from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Bensenville, Illinois.
The railroad also shares service with the Metra Milwaukee District North and the Amtrak Hiawatha Lines.
Train traffic was temporarily stopped to ensure the scene was safe for responders but has resumed on one track.
Roads in the vicinity of the crash were shut down for the scene investigation and due to the stopped freight train, which caused other crossings in the area to be blocked.
A front-end loader picked up the damaged vehicle, which was located south of Old Mill Road on the west side of the edge of the train tracks, and brought it to a tow truck after the investigation was complete.
Canadian Pacific Kansas Southern is leading the investigation into the incident, with the Metra Police Department and the Lake Forest Police Department assisting.
The incident appears to have been an intentional act based on a preliminary investigation, Zelk said.
“If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available,” Lake Forest Police Chief John Burke said.
“The Lake Forest Police Department’s Social Worker can help connect individuals with mental health resources and community services,” Burke said.
Residents can also contact the Lake County Crisis Care Program at 847-377-8088, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The program can provide crisis counseling and connect individuals with the county’s Mobile Response Team.
People can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for immediate emotional support. 911 should be contacted if someone is in immediate danger or requires emergency assistance.