The family of 17-year-old Marin Lacson, who was tragically killed by a train while walking to school in Barrington, Illinois, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Metra, Union Pacific Railroad Company, and the Village of Barrington. The lawsuit, filed nearly eight months after her death, alleges that the accident could have been prevented if proper safety measures had been in place at the Hough Street Crossing, where the incident occurred.
On the morning of January 25, 2024, Lacson, a junior at Barrington High School, was struck by an oncoming train as she attempted to cross the tracks. According to the lawsuit, while gates were installed to block vehicular traffic, no pedestrian gates existed at the crossing, leaving her vulnerable as she crossed on foot. The family’s attorney, Jim Pullos of Clifford Law Offices, stated that Lacson had been walking to school, as she had done many times before, but dense fog on the morning of the incident prevented her from seeing the second train approaching from the opposite direction.
Pullos emphasized that the tragedy was “entirely preventable” and criticized the lack of pedestrian safety equipment, particularly at a crossing that had already been the site of previous accidents. According to the lawsuit, two other pedestrian accidents had occurred at the same crossing in the past, one of which was fatal. Despite this history, the lawsuit alleges that no engineering studies or significant safety upgrades were implemented.
“The family wants to make a difference,” Pullos said. “They want to prevent anything like this from ever happening again.” He added that other railroad crossings in Barrington—Main Street, Hart Road, and James Street—all have pedestrian gates, and none have had pedestrian collisions, highlighting the potential safety that gates could have provided at the Hough Street location.
The Lacson family hopes their lawsuit will prompt communities and railroad companies to prioritize the installation of pedestrian safety measures, such as gates and warning systems. In response to the lawsuit, a Union Pacific Railroad Company spokesperson expressed condolences to the Lacson family and the community but noted that the company had not yet had the opportunity to review the legal complaint.
Since Lacson’s death, the Village of Barrington has taken steps to improve safety at railroad crossings. According to a village spokesperson, the village has updated signage, added pavement markings, and deployed safety monitors before and after school. Additionally, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has allocated $1.15 million for the installation of pedestrian gates at the Union Pacific crossings on Hough Street, Main Street, and Hillside Avenue.
Looking ahead, the village also plans to begin work on a pedestrian underpass project that will connect the Village Center and Barrington High School, eliminating the need for students to cross at grade level.
While Metra declined to comment on the pending litigation, the lawsuit brings attention to the ongoing issue of pedestrian safety at railroad crossings, and the Lacson family hopes that their daughter’s death will lead to meaningful changes that could save lives in the future.
