2 Dead As Truck Rams Chicago Train Station

21 People Hospitalized After Tractor Trailer Crashes Into Elevated Station

(AP)  A tractor trailer rammed into an elevated Chicago Transit Authority train station during the evening rush hour on Friday, killing two people and injuring more than a dozen others, authorities said.

Those killed, both women, were apparently walking near the Cermak-Chinatown Red Line station on the city's South Side, Fire Department spokeswoman Eve Rodriguez said. They were dead at the scene, she said.

Twenty-one people were transported to area hospitals, said fire department spokesman Larry Langford. Eleven were in critical condition, including four children, eight adults were in stable condition and two adults were in good condition.

"This is rush hour so it's bad," Langford said.

Workers were searching through wreckage Friday evening for more injured, Langford said.

Rodriguez did not know the driver's condition, or whether the driver was injured.

Witnesses said the truck didn't appear to slow down before it plowed into the station.

The truck hit pedestrians, then "climbed the stairs" of the station's north stairwell around 5:20 p.m., Langford said.

Hazardous materials crews were on the scene because the semitrailer leaked fuel, Langford said.

Most of those injured were either in the bus shelter underneath the elevated train station or in the station's stairwell, Rodriguez said.

Power was shut off to the area, CTA spokeswoman Catherine Hosinski said.

[michellem99-2009]

What happened to safety first. I realise trucks are used to transport every thing, but why did he not slow down. This is awful.

[ehaw]

maybe the driver was in the sleeper. maybe he had a seizure, too many questions go unamswered.

[michellem99-2009]

In the sleeper no way dear..It may be a health issue or falling as sleep at the wheel..
The last time my friend rented a moving truck he tipped his head up and I knew he dozed. I yelled at him..Yer crossing over the line..I was scared..There was no cars coming at us..I could not take control as I am legelly blind.. So he turnt 55 and gave up his license..

[dabsgram]

This is a horrible, horrible tragedy. However, perhaps it was not driver error or indifference. It may well be mechanical failure with the tractor itself. Best not to comment about the driver until such time as the whole story is released. My heart goes out to all impacted by this tragic event.

[incog-nito]

Or maybe the trucker was late and thought he''s gonna miss the train?

[sblake63]

The answer is we need to ban all Trucks. They are a danger to society. People who drive trucks are potential criminals. Oh wait thats Chicago''s attitude toward Guns.

I am just waiting for some nut case to come up with some new laws regarding trucks lol. Why would anybody in their right mind want to live in that high priced, anti American, high tax and geographically ugly city? Beats me lol.

[crazycwp]

sblake63-yeah that''s right let''s ban all trucks. Then we can all go live in caves and eat roots and berries and bugs. EVERYTHING YOU BUY COMES BY TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!!
Until you get up in the cab of that truck and deal with ignorant, self-absorbed, and sometimes stupid automobile drivers, the ALMIGHTY DOT, and revenue generating traffic cops,(not to mention delays in loading and unloading, weather,etc.) you need to check your self. All of this stuff and then you bring a measley 500 to 600 bucks a week home, if you''re lucky. The driver of that truck probably had a health condition that went unnoticed because he couldn''t afford to use his insurance,if he had any at all.

[sblake63]

sblake63-yeah that''''s right let''''s ban all trucks. Then we can all go live in caves and eat roots and berries and bugs. EVERYTHING YOU BUY COMES BY TRUCK!!!!!!!!!!!
Until you get up in the cab of that truck and deal with ignorant, self-absorbed, and sometimes stupid automobile drivers, the ALMIGHTY DOT, and revenue generating traffic cops,(not to mention delays in loading and unloading, weather,etc.) you need to check your self. All of this stuff and then you bring a measley 500 to 600 bucks a week home, if you''''re lucky. The driver of that truck probably had a health condition that went unnoticed because he couldn''''t afford to use his insurance,if he had any at all.


Posted by crazycwp at 12:51 PM : Apr 26, 2008

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LOL I didn''t mean actually ban trucks ha-ha. I was just being a smart a$$ because I wouldn''t be surprised that some liberal piece of trash is going to ask for more state and federal regulations. Liberals are obsessed with new laws. But when a law comes up they don''t like, they try to override the will of the people via the federal and supreme court.

But pretty slick there injecting the health care issue into this lol. Just to cover all bases.. If it were a health issue and he couldn''t afford to pay. Well I am sorry, this is a pay as you go nation. And my tax dollars are NOT meant to pay for a national health care system. People like me will prevent it from ever happening :)

[michellem99-2009]

Cars are rude in their eyes..Yep every thing comes by truck..I live not far a supermarket..I have to walk and use a white cane . . Cars should be barred...May be that may happen..I say he had a med issue that he was aware of or it it hit the first time..Maybe his blood sugar dropped..Ye don''t eat and it drops.

[toolmangler-2009]

If the truck never slowed down, then I would think that the driver was either dead or unconsious, They (the cops) don''t seem to know anything about him, They never said he was missing or anything, good police work.. yeah!!!! (and I am the toothfairy) ssshhheeeeesssshhhhhhh.....

[gunsrevil]

EXTRA,EXTRA, Read all about it.Toolmangler admits to being an old fairy!!!Full story in evening news.!!

[gunsrevil]

hey, Tool just kidding around, one diemaker poking fun at another.

[mcvet]

If the truck never slowed down, then I would think that the driver was either dead or unconsious, They (the cops) don''''t seem to know anything about him, They never said he was missing or anything, good police work.. yeah!!!! (and I am the toothfairy) ssshhheeeeesssshhhhhhh.....


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Posted by ToolMangler at 08:07 PM : Apr 26, 2008
+ report abuse

Duh! Maybe they didn''t want you to know just yet???

[mcvet]

I am just waiting for some nut case to come up with some new laws regarding trucks lol. Why would anybody in their right mind want to live in that high priced, anti American, high tax and geographically ugly city? Beats me lol.


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Posted by sblake63 at 10:34 AM : Apr 26, 2008
+ report abuse

LOL Let me guess... you are one of the Neo Nazi''s who would like to see a riot in Denver this summer too? Disgusting creatures...these Nazi''s!! Sieg Heil Grand Wizard!!

[toolmangler-2009]

hey, Tool just kidding around, one diemaker poking fun at another.
Posted by gunsrevil at 05:57 AM : Apr 27, 2008



No problem, Tool makers tend to have thick hides (comes with the territory)