The first week of November, 2009, Metra Executive Director appeared before the Crystal Lake City Council seeking permission to build a new Metra station in Ridgefield. Local attorney Joe Gottemoller appears in the foregound to his left.
Thought you might be interested in this Friday press release from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department about Metra Executive Director Phil Pagano’s death. I just found it.
Sheriff’s Office Investigates Pedestrian – Train Fatality in Unincorporated Crystal Lake
May 7, 2010
Sheriff Keith Nygren announced today that on May 7, 2010 at approximately 8:00 A.M. a Deputy Sheriff came upon a pedestrian – train fatality at the grade crossing located on Hillside Rd. approximately ¼ mile west of Terra Cotta Road in unincorporated McHenry County.
Subsequent investigation has revealed the following information.
The deceased has been identified as Philip A. Pagano, of unincorporated Crystal Lake.
Information has been obtained that indicates that at slightly before 8 A.M., Philip entered the Metra right of way, approximately 30 feet north of Hillside Road, and into the path of a southbound Metra Train, killing himself instantly.
The engineer of the train did observe a male subject on the tracks, and entered emergency braking mode, but was unable to stop before striking Philip.
Twenty-four passengers, two Metra employees, and one Union Pacific employee were on the train. None of them were injured.
Alternate transportation was arranged for the passengers, and no other trains were delayed as a result of this incident.
There was one vehicle at the crossing; however, they did not observe the actual impact occur. The driver of that vehicle was not injured and left the scene after speaking with the Deputy Sheriff.
The following agencies participated in the investigation: McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, McHenry County Coroner’s Office, McHenry County Conservation Police, Crystal Lake Park District Police, Metra Police, and the Crystal Lake Fire Department.
Deceased: Pagano, Philip A. M/W 02/25/1950