By Crash News Writer 
Western Springs, IL (November 13, 2026) – Two elementary school students were killed, and a woman was seriously injured Wednesday morning, November 11, when an Amtrak passenger train struck a vehicle at a railroad crossing in Western Springs. According to reports from ABC7 Chicago, witnesses said the vehicle traveled around activated crossing gates shortly before the collision.
The fatal accident occurred at approximately 8:00 a.m. at the Wolf Road railroad crossing in Western Springs, a western suburb of Chicago in Cook County. The collision involved a passenger vehicle and an Amtrak train traveling through the crossing.
Witnesses reported seeing a woman drive around the railroad crossing gates despite the warning equipment operating normally. The vehicle subsequently entered the train’s path and was struck.
The impact caused the vehicle to catch fire. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as bystanders rushed toward the burning vehicle to help those involved.
Several Good Samaritans reportedly used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames and assist the woman in escaping the damaged vehicle. Their actions helped her get out before emergency personnel transported her to a hospital.
The woman survived the collision but sustained serious injuries. Authorities have not released her identity, age, or updated medical condition.
Two girls who attended Pleasantdale Elementary School died as a result of the collision. School officials confirmed that both children had been students in Pleasantdale School District 107 since kindergarten.
The girls’ identities and ages were not released in the initial report. Authorities also have not provided additional information about where the children were seated inside the vehicle or the specific injuries they sustained.
No passengers aboard the Amtrak train were injured, according to the available reports. Officials have not disclosed how many passengers were traveling on the train or whether the train crew sustained any injuries.
Investigators have not released the train’s speed or explained whether the engineer had an opportunity to stop before reaching the crossing. The available report also does not establish why the vehicle entered the tracks while the crossing gates were activated.
Following the collision, the Pleasantdale Elementary School community began mourning the loss of the two students. School administrators arranged for counselors and crisis response personnel to be available Thursday to help students and staff cope with the tragedy.
Pleasantdale School District 107 Superintendent Dave Palzet acknowledged the difficulty of responding to the deaths of two children who had been part of the school community for several years.
Palzet said both girls had attended the school since kindergarten, emphasizing the close relationships they had developed with classmates, teachers, and staff.
The Village of Western Springs also made social workers available Thursday at Village Hall for people who witnessed the collision. The assistance was intended to support community members affected by the traumatic incident.
The collision has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s entry onto the railroad tracks. Although witnesses reported that the crossing gates were operating properly, authorities have not released final investigative findings.
Additional information may become available as officials examine witness statements, crossing equipment, vehicle movements, and other evidence related to the accident.
Protect Your Rights After a Fatal Train Accident Today
Train collisions involving passenger vehicles can cause catastrophic injuries because of the significant difference in size and weight between trains and automobiles. When a vehicle enters a railroad crossing as a train approaches, the resulting impact may leave occupants with little protection from serious or fatal injuries.
Illinois law requires motorists to obey railroad crossing signals and exercise caution when approaching train tracks. Drivers generally must stop when warning lights are flashing, crossing gates are lowered, or other signals indicate that a train is approaching.
People searching for a car accident near me or a train accident near Western Springs should understand that determining responsibility in a railroad crossing collision may require examining several factors. Investigators may review the operation of warning signals, the driver’s actions, visibility at the crossing, and the train’s movements before impact.
An official accident report may contain important information about the crossing equipment, vehicle positions, witness statements, and the investigating authorities’ findings. In some cases, investigators may also examine available surveillance footage, train event recorder data, and maintenance records for the crossing signals.
Under Illinois law, injured individuals may have grounds to pursue compensation when another party’s negligence contributes to a collision. However, the fact that a vehicle was struck by a train does not automatically establish whether the driver, railroad operator, or another party bears legal responsibility.
Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence system. An injured person may generally recover damages when their share of fault is 50% or less, although compensation may be reduced according to their percentage of responsibility.
People researching a car accident near me or a train accident near Western Springs should also understand that Illinois generally provides two years to file personal injury lawsuits, subject to applicable exceptions. Wrongful death claims are also generally subject to a two-year filing period, although special rules may apply in certain circumstances.
When children are injured or killed in an accident, additional legal considerations may arise concerning their age, the circumstances of the collision, and the rights of surviving family members. Illinois law recognizes that children may be held to different standards of care than adults, depending on the circumstances.
Families who lose a loved one in a fatal collision may have legal options under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act. Depending on the evidence, qualifying surviving family members may be able to pursue damages for losses recognized under state law.
In accidents involving railroad crossings, investigators may examine whether warning equipment was functioning properly and whether the train operator complied with applicable safety requirements. However, reports that crossing gates were operating normally do not establish every circumstance relevant to the collision.
When a vehicle’s driver is accused of disregarding crossing warnings, investigators may consider whether the driver’s actions contributed to the accident. Witness statements can provide important information, but investigators may need additional evidence before reaching a final determination.
Families affected by fatal train collisions may benefit from preserving available accident reports, medical records, insurance communications, and other relevant documents. These materials may help clarify the circumstances of the collision and document the losses associated with the accident.
In the November 11 Western Springs collision, witnesses reported that the vehicle traveled around activated crossing gates before being struck by the Amtrak train. However, authorities have not released final findings explaining the driver’s actions or determining legal responsibility.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
This article reflects preliminary information reported by ABC7 Chicago concerning the November 11 fatal Amtrak train collision at the Wolf Road crossing in Western Springs. Details may change as investigators release additional findings.
- Two girls who attended Pleasantdale Elementary School died Wednesday, November 11, after an Amtrak train struck a passenger vehicle at the Wolf Road railroad crossing in Western Springs. The collision occurred at approximately 8:00 a.m.
- Witnesses reported seeing a woman drive around activated railroad crossing gates before the collision. According to those accounts, the crossing equipment was operating normally at the time.
- The vehicle caught fire following the impact. Good Samaritans reportedly used a fire extinguisher to control the flames and help the woman escape from the damaged vehicle.
- The woman survived but sustained serious injuries and was transported to a hospital. Authorities have not released her identity or updated medical condition.
- No passengers aboard the Amtrak train were injured. Officials have not disclosed the train’s speed or released final findings about the circumstances surrounding the collision.
- Pleasantdale School District 107 made counselors and crisis response personnel available to students and staff. Social workers were also available at Western Springs Village Hall for people who witnessed the accident.
- The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under review. Readers seeking information about accident investigations and legal claims can review our frequently asked questions in Illinois and accident resources in Illinois.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Information reflects publicly available reports at the time of publication and may change as investigators release additional findings. Readers should consult a qualified attorney regarding their individual circumstances. The publisher assumes no responsibility for decisions made based on this information. Please review our disclaimer for further details.
If your family has lost a loved one or suffered serious injuries in a railroad crossing collision in Western Springs or elsewhere in Illinois, contact an Illinois personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights and whether a personal injury or wrongful death claim may be available.