Crime & Safety

Elderly Woman Killed in Metra Crash

An 87-year-old McHenry woman was believed to have been walking east on the railroad tracks in unincorporated Harvard when the accident occurred.

An elderly McHenry woman died Sunday night after being struck by a Metra train in unincorporated Harvard. 

Gloria C. Jacobs, 87, of McHenry, had been walking east along the tracks immediately prior to the accident at 8:27 p.m. Sunday, according to a McHenry County Sheriff's Department press release.

Emergency personnel responding to the scene found Jacobs about a half-mile west of Schultz Road near Brink Street in unincorporated Harvard. 

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A preliminary investigation found Jacobs had been driving on roadways in the area Sunday night. Jacobs, who was lost and unfamiliar with the roadways, turned onto the railroad tracks at the Brink Street crossing for unknown reasons, according to the release.

She continued driving east before her car became stuck. Jacobs then got out of her vehicle and continued walking on the tracks, according the sheriff's department. 

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The Metra train was heading northwest and carrying 120 passengers at the time of the accident. 

The Metra crash remains under investigation with the McHenry County Sheriff's Department.


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