Morning commuters on Chicago’s Northwest Side were thrown into chaos Thursday after a Union Pacific Northwest (UP-NW) Metra train struck a car near Devon Avenue and Northwest Highway, halting trains in both directions and grinding service on the line to a near standstill. Emergency crews rushed to the crossing as riders braced for long, uncertain delays. It was not immediately clear whether anyone was injured.
According to ABC7 Chicago, Chopper 7 aerial footage around 11:15 a.m. showed a black car with heavy front-end damage sitting at the crossing. Metra told the station that inbound and outbound UP-NW train movement was halted near Norwood Park and warned riders to expect extensive delays.
Line Has Seen Similar Disruptions
This is not the first time this year the UP-NW line has been knocked offline by a vehicle collision. CBS Chicago reported a March incident in which a train clipped a vehicle near Nagle Avenue and Northwest Highway, briefly halting service. A January 2025 Metra crash in Norwood Park that resulted in a fatality highlighted how quickly a single crossing incident can trigger major regional ripple effects, as detailed in coverage of a January 2025 Metra collision in Norwood Park that resulted in a fatality.
What Riders Should Know
Riders on the UP-NW line should plan for delays through the afternoon and keep an eye on Metra service alerts for real-time updates. Depending on where they are coming from and heading, some commuters may be able to shift to CTA buses or alternate rail routes while crews clear the crossing and inspectors work the scene.
This story will be updated as Metra or local officials release more information about possible injuries, the cause of the crash, and when full service is expected to resume. Until then, travelers affected by the disruption are being urged to allow extra travel time and rely on official channels for the latest schedule changes.
