Barrington High School student ID'd; hit, killed by Metra train while crossing tracks, officials say

BARRINGTON, Ill. (WLS) -- Our coverage of this story has moved here.

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a Metra train Thursday morning in the north suburbs.

The train crash happened around 7:45 a.m. on the railroad tracks at the intersection of Route 59 and Main Street in Barrington, police said.

School officials announced that a junior student at Barrington High School was the pedestrian killed in the crash.

"It is with great sadness that I share with you the tragic news of the passing of one of our Barrington High School students," Barrington School District 220 Superintendent Dr. Craig Winkelman said in a statement. "This morning the student was walking to school when the student was accidentally struck by a train on Route 59 and Main Street. The student's family has been notified and is receiving support."

The victim was later identified by the Lake County Coroner's Office as 17-year-old Marin Lacson.

"When I found out she passed away, I was like 'Oh that's not her. It can't be her,'" said Paige Janicki.

When police arrived at the scene, officers found the victim who had been hit by a Metra commuter train, police said.

Lacson attempted to cross the train tracks after a train had already passed, and she was hit by a different train coming from the other direction, the coroner's office said.

Lacson died from her injuries. No other injuries were reported.

Visibility in the dense fog was an issue for many drivers this morning, and some speculate it may have been difficult for Lacson to see the train coming before crossing the tracks.

"It is a somber day in Barrington. Really tough," said Brian Long of Long's Jewelry. "Half a block visibility. You can kind of understand how it happened. There's no reason for it, but you just couldn't see."

"At this time additional Barrington 220 counselors are on hand at BHS for any student needing support," the statement from the school district read.

Lacson's mother works at Barrington High School. The student was a Chinese immersion scholar.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the Lacson family. She was their baby girl," family friend Heather Ewalt said. "She was beautiful. I loved her."

Ewalt knew the family well. She left balloons in the shape of the number 22 for Lacson's number on the school's lacrosse team.

Another woman was seen leaving flowers near the scene Thursday afternoon.

"Basically everyone in the program at some point has been on a team with her," said lacrosse teammate and classmate Isabella Benton. "She's just so nice to everyone, and always made everyone feel welcome."

Other residents of the town have also reacted to the tragic news. It was difficult day for the tight-knit community.

"The people who are in school right now dealing with this, it's gotta be some heavy news," Barrington resident Ronald Sweeney said.

The Barrington Police Department and the Metra Police Department continue to investigate.