Old Mill Road and Everett Road remain closed west of Waukegan Road on Monday, Aug. 24, three days after a man allegedly drove his car onto the tracks and was struck by a freight train in Lake Forest.

Train traffic on the corridor that carries Metra Milwaukee District North and Amtrak Hiawatha service is still limited to one track while Canadian Pacific Kansas City leads the crash investigation, according to Patch's Monday newsletter citing Lake County Gazette reporting. No timeline for reopening the roads has been announced.

What happened

A southbound Kansas City Southern freight train traveling from Milwaukee to Bensenville struck a white Audi sedan at Old Mill and Waukegan Roads at approximately 11:35 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, according to Lake County Gazette. The driver, a man in his 50s, was found unconscious and barely breathing, then transported to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville.

The Metra Police Department described his condition as critical but stable on Aug. 21. No update has been released since.

Lake Forest Deputy Police Chief Kevin Zelk told Lake & McHenry County Scanner on Aug. 21 that the crash "appears to have been an intentional act" based on a preliminary investigation. No charges have been filed. No further details about the investigation's progress have been made public.

Commuter impact

Metra halted all inbound and outbound trains on the Milwaukee District North line on Aug. 21 before restoring service that afternoon, Hoodline reported. The single-track restriction that remains in place can cause delays for Metra and Amtrak passengers traveling through the area.

Mental health resources

Lake Forest Police Chief John Burke on Aug. 21 directed residents to the department's full-time police social worker, who can connect individuals with mental health resources and community services. The department responded to 538 mental health-related calls in 2024 and this year introduced a St. Bernard comfort dog named Winston.

The Lake County Crisis Care Program is available around the clock at (847) 377-8088 for crisis counseling and connection to the county's Mobile Response Team.

What's next

Roads will remain closed until the scene investigation is complete and the freight train can be removed, according to ABC7 Chicago. No date has been set for reopening. Canadian Pacific Kansas City is leading the investigation with assistance from Metra Police and the Lake Forest Police Department.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.