Metra Train Hits Car on Tracks; Driver, Passenger Flee Car Flipped Upside Down East of Northwest Highway and Wilke Rd Arlington Heights

Police, firefighters and paramedics from Arlington Heights responded about 1:47 a.m. Thursday, March 5, 2026 to a report that a Metra train on the Union Pacific Northwest Line crashed into a car on the tracks at Northwest Highway and Wilke Road in Arlington Heights. Metra police officers were also assigned to the scene.

There were possibly two individuals that fled the scene. Arlington Heights police officers were in the area searching with a drone and a K-9, but the individuals were not found.

Apparently the driver of the gray Ford Edge passenger vehicle was driving on the tracks and was hit by the train about 100 yards east of the intersection of Northwest Highway and Wilke Road. The rear of the train was located at the Wilke Road crossing grade, but the train vs. vehicle impact occurred about 100 yards east of Wilke Road. The driver, and possibly a passenger, fled the scene in an unknown direction. The crash scene is surrounded by a residential neighborhood of single-family homes to the south, and single-family home to the north, across Northwest Highway. No “suspects at large” notices were posted Village of Arlington Heights social media.

Train traffic was halted, but began moving about 3:40 a.m.

The investigation of the crash is being conducted by Metra Police — also assigned to the crash scene.

metrarail.com

Stay informed with news from The Cardinal’s Emergencies Behind the Scenes Facebook page — Facebook.com/CardinalEmergencies. For a list of all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages, go to Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …