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Lake Forest Driver Survives Clip from Metra Train

He manages to drive his car just enough off tracks at Waukegan and Halfday roads.

 

 

Lake Forest resident Michael Bungert was given two tickets after his 2010 GMC Terrain was struck in the rear by a northbound Metra train early Tuesday morning near the intersection of Waukegan and Half Day roads, according to the Lake County News-Sun .

Bungert, 57, was transported to Highland Park Hospital where he was treated and released for minor injuries after all of the vehicle's air bags deployed.

According to the News-Sun article, Bungert was driving southbound on Waukegan Road at approximately 7:30 a.m. and attempted to make a right turn onto westbound Half Day Road. The intersection is under heavy construction.

Bungert told Bannockburn police he turned in between two barrels where there was space for a car to proceed through, even though there was a solid white line. Once onto the newly cemented Halfday Road, Bungert began to drive over the Metra Milwaukee North Line railroad tracks and realized the cars already there were parked and belonged to construction workers.

Bungert tried to back up, but then the railroad's warning bells began to ring. He stopped, but with the Metra train in sight coming at him, he stomped on the accelerator. The rear of his vehicle was clipped, according to the article.

The train was stopped for approximately 40 minutes during the investigation, according to Metra spokesperson Tom Miller. “Several trains were delayed for up to 40 minutes in both directions."

By 8:40 a.m. the scene was clear, according to a member of the construction crew at the intersection.

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Related Topics: Bannockburn Police, Metra, and Train accident

Really

11:17 am on Wednesday, May 23, 2012

He must have been in a real hurry to be driving through the orange cones. Why can't people just be patient and wait their turn?

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JM

2:44 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Totally agree with you. I have to drive thru this intersection a couple days a week and since the traffic pattern has changed it has become so much worse. It is amazing what I see drivers do. I really am surprised there are not more accidents at this intersection right now.

Mike

12:49 am on Thursday, May 24, 2012

I was there live to see the accident happen. A miracle anyone survived. The car was completely destroyed. My 911 call was for the coroner and to my surprise a guy emerges from the wreckage. With all the construction and cones, it looked like he got confused. Was both a lucky and unlucky day for this gent. rest assured he'll look both ways from now on...

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