Man killed when car struck by Amtrak train at crossing in Wilmington
A pickup truck is shown at the rail crossing in Wilmington where an Amtrak train struck a car Wednesday, killing the driver of the car. (Erin Gallagher, Chicago Tribune)
By Erin Gallagher Chicago Tribune
Amtrak
Wilmington man dies after car is hit by Chicago-bound Amtrak train.
A Wilmington man was killed Wednesday night when the car he was driving was struck by a Chicago-bound Amtrak train at a crossing in Wilmington, authorities said.
Steven D. Harden II, 34, was pronounced dead at St. Joseph Provena Hospital in Joliet at 10:47 p.m., according to Will County Coroner Patrick O'Neil.
Harden was driving a 2003 Honda Accord across the Union Pacific tracks at North First and Rail Road streets in Wilmington just before 10 p.m. Wednesday, according to a news release issued by Wilmington Police Chief Phillip Arnold.
The crossing is protected by flashing lights and audible bells but no gates.
According to the release, a witness told authorities that Harden appeared to ignore the warning signals while attempting to beat the train through the crossing and never applied his brakes.
Amtrak train 306 was en route to Chicago with 53 passengers and crew when it struck the vehicle. No one on the train reported injuries.
First responders were on the scene within minutes and found Harden unresponsive, the release said.
In June, an Amtrak train struck a semi truck attemptting to go around crossing gates at New River Road in Wilmington. About 10 people were hospitalized.Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter