Police Release Identity of Man Killed Thursday by Metra Train
Eric Bennett of Hickory Hills was killed Thursday evening after he was hit by an eastbound Metra train at the Cass Avenue crossing in Westmont.
Updated at 4:57 p.m.
Westmont Police Department officials investigating the death of Eric Bennett, the 31-year-old Hickory Hills man struck by a Metra train Thursday at the Cass Avenue crossing, are waiting to see Metra's onboard video from that train before releasing any information about what led to the fatal collision, Sgt. Stephen Thompson said Friday afternoon.
"At that point we’ll have more information," Thompson said.
Typically, he said, Metra gets that video to investigators within seven days of the incident.
Original story:
The Westmont Police Department has released the identity of the man who died Thursday night after being struck by a Metra train in Westmont.
The deceased is 31-year-old Eric Bennett of Hickory Hills, according to a statement released Friday from Westmont Police Chief Thomas Mulhearn.
As Patch earlier reported, Bennett was struck by an eastbound train at 5:46 p.m. Thursday while crossing the tracks at Cass Avenue, near the Westmont BNSF station.
READ: Male Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck by BNSF Metra Train in Westmont
The train was carrying an engineer and crew, but no passengers, Mulhearn's statement says. Nobody onboard was injured.
Police still have not said what led to the collision.
"Our investigation into this incident is continuing," Mulhearn wrote. "Due to this being an active investigation we cannot release any other information at this time. Additional information will be released when it is appropriate to do so."
READ: Metra Provides Tips on Crossing Tracks Safely
Family members and friends of Eric Bennett's can email the editor at joe.odonnell@patch.com any time if they are interested in sharing thoughts or memories of the victim.
Reaction from Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Patch's Facebook:
- Rochelle: How sad for his him and his family. ):
- Rick: I work at Chris Angileri's State Farm Agency right south of the Westmont Centre. I'm staring at the crossing and many people disregard the gates and walk across. I've seen the police cut off pedestrians that do this and ticket them. How awful for the train engineers that have to deal with this and anyone who sees it in real time.
- Traci: I have him and his loved ones in my prayers. No matter what the cause, it was tragic and I am so sorry it happened.
There are plenty of ways to keep up on Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills news:
MaryfromIL
5:50 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
I used to get on in Geneva, there is a crosswalk with no gates. I crossed once, and didn't realize the bells were going off. It's easy to get distracted, particularly early in the morning when people are half asleep.
Ercie Berwick
2:43 pm on Wednesday, April 24, 2013
I wouldn't attempt to cross train tracks in a fully-awake state, let alone if I were half asleep. Somehow, sometime "we the people" have to learn to take some responsibility for our actions. I always feel so sorry for the engineer when something like this happens!