1 killed, 1 missing after collision with Metra train in Joliet

Authorities were searching along a creek in Joliet for a possible second person struck by a train Wednesday in the southwest suburbs.

One boy was pronounced dead at 8:14 p.m. after they were hit by a Metra Rock Island District train on a bridge over Hickory Creek near Lincoln Highway, the Will County coroner’s office said.

He was identified as Jacob A. Manka of southwest suburban Mokena, the coroner’s office said. A preliminary autopsy found he died from being struck by a train.

Four people were on the bridge just after 7 p.m. when the westbound No. 419 train fatally struck at least one of them, Metra spokesman Tom Miller said.

Two of the four were uninjured, Miller said. Crews were searching for a fourth person person believed to be knocked into the creek and carried away.

Some of the party were juveniles, a Metra spokesperson said.

Metra police are investigating the death.

Earlier in the day, a person was hit and killed by a Rock Island District train in Tinley Park.