Juvenile 'astoundingly uninjured' after crash involving pickup truck, freight train in McHenry County

Fire officials say a juvenile driver was “astoundingly uninjured” after a crash involving a pickup truck and a freight train in an unincorporated area of McHenry County.

The Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts, Union Fire Protection District and McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded around 5:13 p.m. Monday at the railroad crossing at Olson Road and Hemmingsen Road in Coral Township outside of Union.

Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said it was reported as a crash involving a train and a vehicle.

Firefighters arrived and found a stopped freight train and a heavily damaged pickup truck near the crossing.

The juvenile male driver, who had self-extricated himself from the vehicle before emergency crews arrived, was “astoundingly uninjured,” Vucha said.

He declined medical treatment after being evaluated by paramedics.

The train crew also reported no injuries. The eastbound train was cleared from the scene at 6:45 p.m. and the roadway reopened at 7 p.m.

“This incident is a reminder of the importance of exercising caution when approaching rural railroad crossings, particularly those without gates,” Vucha said.

“Drivers are urged to look and listen carefully for oncoming trains, obey all posted signage, and proceed only when the tracks are clear,” he added.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the cause of the crash.