An elderly woman became confused and began driving down the railroad tracks in downtown Barrington, causing train traffic to be temporarily halted, officials said.
The Barrington Police Department responded around 4 p.m. on September 19 to the area of Jewel-Osco, 150 West Main Street in Barrington, for a report of a vehicle on the tracks.
The Metra Police Department was also dispatched to the scene due to the incident happening within their jurisdiction.
Barrington Police Chief David Daigle said officers received a call for a vehicle that drove westbound onto the train tracks behind the Jewel-Osco.
He said that the elderly female driver apparently became confused while driving her black Honda CR-V.
A Barrington police officer was able to reverse the Honda approximately 200 yards back to Hough Street to get it off the tracks, Daigle said.
Police radio traffic indicated a tow truck was called to the scene but it is unclear if it towed the vehicle, which did not appear to be damaged.
A track inspector also responded and ensured the railroad tracks were not damaged.
Train traffic on the Union Pacific Northwest line was halted during the incident but cleared to resume around 4:45 p.m.
The incident happened just a day after a three-vehicle crash that led to one car being struck by a Metra train along the Union Pacific Northwest line at Route 14 and Hart Road in Barrington.
Robert Scheurich, 77, of Carpentersville, died on September 18 at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington following the incident.
Scheurich was unable to get his red Chevrolet Malibu out of the way following the initial crash before the train passing through the crossing struck his vehicle, sending it off the roadway with major damage.
An obituary for him said he “proudly served” his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam era.
Scheurich later worked as a “loyal and valued” employee of Otto Engineering in Carpentersville for more than 20 years before retiring. He leaves behind a fiancée, three sons and seven grandchildren.