Accident That Cost Boy His Leg Raises Safety Questions About South Suburban Train Crossing
(CBS) -- An accident that cost an 11-year-old boy his leg is raising questions about the safety of a train crossing in south suburban Blue Island.
CBS 2's Chris Martinez reports some residents there are now saying, "I told you so.''
It's thought 11-year-old Alexander Zepeda was racing to catch a school bus Tuesday morning on the other side of the tracks, trying perhaps to beat the train when he was hit. The encounter cost the boy his leg.
On Wednesday morning, CBS 2 cameras spotted a number of people doing the same thing: Crossing the track even as whistles warned of a train's approach. The sidewalks at the crossing are clear of any barricades, making it all too easy to make a risky run across.
It's something neighbors told us they've worried about for years.
"A little kid, losing his leg and all... should be more careful," one man said.
About 10 years ago, Victor Olivera died in a similar accident. In 2004, he rode his bike through a pedestrian railroad crossing in Glenview that didn't have a gate on the sidewalk as well and was hit by a Metra train. The village later installed gates.
