Nun struck, killed by Metra train in Highwood during morning rush

HIGHWOOD, Ill. (WLS) -- A nun was struck and killed by a Metra train at the pedestrian crossing in Highwood on Tuesday morning.

Sister Udochukwu Odoemena, 68, had walked another nun to the train when she realized she had her friend's bag. She turned around to give the bag to her when she was struck by an inbound, express Union Pacific North train around 8 a.m.

Officials believe she didn't realize that express train No. 326 wasn't going to stop.

The fatal accident led to major delays on the UP North line. The CTA honored Metra tickets on the Red and Purple lines.

Sr. Odoemena belonged to the Sisters of Divine Love Convent in Nigeria. The order is associated with St. James convent in Highwood, which is about a block from the Metra train. Sr. Obdoemena has been in Highwood, where she taught catechism, for about a year.