Lonnie Dickerson Killed in Jarvis Township Train Accident

Wrongful Death - April 15, 2026

Lonnie Dickerson, 56, Died in Jarvis Township Collision With Train by Lockman Road and Longhi Road

front of L train view from CTA platform - who pays for public transportation injuries

JARVIS TOWNSHIP, ILLINOIS (April 15, 2026) – A 56-year-old man identified as Lonnie Dickerson has tragically died in a Jarvis Township train accident by Lockman Road and Longhi Road.

Madison County officials are saying that the accident took place around 11:18 PM on Saturday. Lonnie Dickerson was apparently on the tracks when the train operator failed to slow down and hit him.

Early reports suggest that the victim may have been sleeping on the tracks prior to being hit. Paramedics were called to the scene of the accident to help him.

Sadly, Lonnie Dickerson was pronounced dead around 12:02 a.m. on Sunday. A full investigation into the accident remains ongoing at this time.

Liability for Jarvis Township Train Accidents

Determining liability for any train accident will typically turn on whether or not the operator or rail company breached their duty of care to passengers or pedestrians. Train operators have a legal obligation to maintain an adequate lookout and keep a reasonable speed to avoid collisions. This is especially important when traveling through populated areas. There are a number of relatively common mistakes that train operators may make that could contribute to many pedestrian accidents.

  • Train operators may fail to maintain a proper lookout for hazards on the tracks.
  • Train operators may delay using the emergency breaking system to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
  • Train operators may not sound their horns at certain times to alert pedestrians of their presence.
  • Train operators may have been traveling at an excessive speed given the prevailing conditions.
  • Train operators may be distracted by their phone or other object.

If a train operator fails to slow down to avoid colliding with a pedestrian on a set of tracks, this could serve as evidence of negligence. Even if a pedestrian is stationary along a set of train tracks, this does not relieve a driver of their duty of care to slow down to avoid a collision. This is why it is so crucial that train operators are consistently scanning the tracks ahead of them and slow down in residential areas where pedestrians are more likely to congregate.

Steps to Take After Jarvis Township Train Accidents

Accidents where trains hit pedestrians may seem like unusual occurrences. But these events are actually quite common. According to the National Safety Council, “Railroad deaths totaled 954 in 2024, a 1% decrease from the 2023 revised total of 967. Nonfatal injuries totaled 6,542, a 3% decrease from the 2023 revised total of 6,768. From 2023 to 2024, fatalities at highway-rail crossings increased 7%, while fatalities involving other types of incidents decreased 4%.” It is important that certain actions are taken after any train accident.

  • The police report related to the collision should be sought.
  • Any surveillance footage that may have captured what happened should be reviewed.
  • Medical records related to injuries should be collected.
  • The actions of the train operator involved in the crash should be understood.
  • The family of any person who died should seek an independent review by a team experienced in negligence claims.

It can be hard to know where to begin after any train accident. Victims are often left with catastrophic injuries. Families may have to contend with the sudden loss of a loved one. To make matters worse, train companies will virtually never accept responsibility if they kill a pedestrian. They are more likely to blame the victim or other third parties. The family of any person who died due to the negligent actions of a train conductor may be able to pursue some measure of accountability and transparency through civil action.

Investigating Madison County Train Accidents

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Lonnie Dickerson. Any person who may have more information about what happens should reach out to the authorities. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that other tragedies can be prevented. Many questions remained unanswered.

Do you need more information about a Madison County train accident? Our team of train accident investigators is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of the rights and that train operators are held fully accountable for their negligent actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.