Woman Hit, Killed By Train In Orland Park
UPDATED 12/10/10 3:05 p.m.
ORLAND PARK, Ill. (CBS) -- A woman was struck and killed by a Metra train in southwest suburban Orland Park Friday morning. Authorities say it was likely a suicide.
At 6:50 a.m. inbound SouthWest Service train No. 808 struck a pedestrian at a crossing at Wolf Road, north of the 179th Street Station, which is located at 179th Street & Southwest Highway, according to Metra spokesman Tom Miller.
Personnel from the Orland Park Fire Protection District took the woman struck to Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet where she was pronounced dead, according to district spokesman Bill Figel.
Julie M. Pawelek, 30, of Orland Park, was pronounced dead at 7:47 a.m. at Silver Cross, according to the Will County Coroner's office.
An autopsy Friday determined she died of multiple blunt force injuries. Officials said the woman's death was likely a suicide, but an official ruling has yet to be made.
Orland Park police Cmdr. John Keating told the SouthtownStar a witness reported seeing the woman step in front of the train.
The incident happened between two stations and as of 8:15 a.m. No. 808 was still stopped, Miller said.
Outbound Train No. 803 turned around after the incident to pick up passengers from 808, and took those passengers to their destination, according to Miller.
Miller said he was not immediately sure if the operator of the train was able to sound the horn before striking the woman.
A spokeswoman for the Will County Coroner's office was not notified as of 9:10 a.m.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
