(Elgin, Illinois – October 23, 2025)
A driver was killed and two passengers were injured on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at approximately 6:30 p.m. when a warning device malfunction led to a collision between a pick-up and a Union Pacific train. The tragic crash occurred at the State Street crossing in Elgin, Illinois, just north of Locust St.
The driver of the pick-up and lone fatality was identified as Martin Martinez Jimenez of Round Lake Beach, IL. He’d been working as a landscaper for Cornerstone Partners and was driving the company’s Ford F-250 with a trailer attached when he came to the crossing. According to the authorities at the scene, “The train’s whistle sounded for the first time and the crossing’s warning devices activated when the train was near the edge of the crossing.” As a result, Martinez Jimenez was not made aware of the presence of the oncoming train until it was too late. Despite the train moving slower than the speed limit and the driver adhering to driving laws, two of the train’s passengers were injured and he was killed in the collision.
According to Union Pacific’s records, the public crossing is equipped with minimal passive warning devices--just two advance warning signs, stop lines, railroad crossing pavement symbols, and an ENS sign. It’s listed as having various active warning devices, including two-quadrant gates, lights, and bells. Although the devices failed to operate correctly until just moments before the crash occurred.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the malfunction in hopes to pinpoint the factors leading to the error and prevent further occurrences.