Overview
- Tomassino “Tommy” Offer, 18, died after being struck by an eastbound Union Pacific freight train in downtown Wheaton on Oct. 11 after he stopped for a westbound train and did not see the second train, officials said.
- A Metra spokesperson described the sequence of events at the crossing but investigators have not released technical findings about signals, speed or equipment.
- Wheaton College, its baseball program and Offer’s former high school issued statements and held memorials to mourn the freshman and support his family and teammates.
- Offer had moved from Washington Township, Michigan to start at Wheaton this fall and was a student-athlete who previously attended Notre Dame Preparatory School.
- Investigators are expected to review train movement data, crossing signals and witness accounts next, and the community has said it will press for answers as officials complete the probe.