A northbound freight train hit a Chrysler PT Cruiser driven by a 66-year-old man traveling eastbound at the intersection of Calumet Avenue and 77th street around 1 p.m. Thursday.
“All of the warning signals were working and the horn was blaring,” Officer David Eichelberger said.
The victim, Albert Matthews, is a local resident of Dyer. He was the only one in the vehicle.
“A witness said that he [the victim] didn’t appear to slow down. Either he [the victim] was trying to beat the train or just didn’t see it,” Officer C. Herrera said.
The man was airlifted to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill. He is in critical condition.
“It’s hard to assume why the train hit him. He could have been listening to music really loud or talking on his cellphone. We try to warn teenagers today about drinking and driving and railroad safety,” Herrera said.
