NIU student struck by freight train

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Vehicles and personnel stand by a train parked near Nelson Road and south of Route 38 on Wednesday. Beck Diefenbach – bdiefenbach@daily-chronicle.com

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DeKALB – A Northern Illinois University student died Wednesday after being struck by a Union Pacific freight train traveling east through the area, DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller said.

Kevin Jablonsky, 21, of Lombard, was a junior communication major who also worked part time with the university's Media Services department, according to a written statement released late Wednesday by the university. Jablonsky lived in DeKalb, according to the statement.

"Our campus community is saddened by this loss, and our hearts go out to the Jablonsky family," NIU spokeswoman Melanie Magara said.

The incident was called in to police at 2:56 p.m. by the train's conductor, DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott said. Jablonsky's body was found at 3:14 p.m. near the train tracks just west of DeKalb city limits. He was pronounced dead at the scene about 4 p.m. by chief deputy coroner Dave Jacobson, according to a written statement from Miller's office.

The incident happened between Glidden and Nelson roads when Jablonsky jumped in front of the train, Scott said. There was no intersection where the incident happened, Miller said; Jablonsky had made his way through a field to reach the tracks.

Foul play is not suspected, according to the statement from Miller's office. The incident remains under investigation by the coroner's and sheriff's offices.

Jablonsky's death was the third fatal train-versus-pedestrian accident in DeKalb County this year. Three people also were killed just across the county line in rural Leland when their vehicle was struck by a train in July.

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