A promising young television journalist, Grace Bentkowski, 22, was tragically killed in a train accident at the Hegewisch South Shore station in Chicago. Bentkowski, a recent hire at NewsNation as a creative producer, was crossing the tracks with other commuters when a departing train struck her on July 25. The incident has led her grieving parents to call for improved rail safety measures at the busy transit hub.
Bentkowski’s father, Phil, recounted the horrifying incident, stating that there was no warning sound from the train before it hit his daughter. He also noted that a large concrete pillar may have obstructed her view of the oncoming train. To access the station’s parking lot, commuters are required to cross the tracks, a situation that Phil Bentkowski believes contributed to the accident.
A recent graduate of Ball State University, Bentkowski had just finished work and was planning to go shopping before returning to her home in Dyer, Indiana. After the accident, she was rushed to the University of Chicago Medical Center for emergency surgery. Despite the medical team’s efforts, Bentkowski succumbed to her injuries.
Phil Bentkowski expressed his disbelief at the severity of his daughter’s injuries, initially assuming that a train leaving the station would not be moving fast enough to cause such harm. However, the impact of the collision threw her 50 feet and resulted in internal injuries. He confirmed that she was not distracted by her phone or headphones at the time of the accident.
The Bentkowski family is now advocating for improved safety measures at the station. Phil Bentkowski expressed his frustration at the lack of safety signs and called for immediate action to prevent future accidents.
Bentkowski began her career at NewsNation as an intern, covering local elections in Indiana. After graduating from college, she was hired as an associate creative producer. Her grandmother, Maryann O’Neill, remembered Bentkowski as a passionate journalist who knew from a young age that she wanted to work in news.
In the wake of the tragedy, Bentkowski’s brother, Adian, set up a Gofundme page to help cover funeral expenses. The page has raised over $27,000 as of Wednesday. NewsNation released a statement expressing their grief over Bentkowski’s untimely death and praising her passion for journalism.
The South Shore train line has announced plans to install interim warning signs at the station and is consulting with an engineering firm to add active warnings to pedestrian crossings. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.