Blind Woman Killed By Midlothian Metra Train; Guide Dog Loses Leg

MIDLOTHIAN, IL — A blind woman was fatally struck by a Metra train Monday night at a Midlothian crossing while she was taking a routine walk to a nearby drugstore with her guide dog, according to ABC 7 Chicago. Kelly R. Harris, 54, was taken to Oak Lawn's Advocate Christ Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead after a Chicago-bound Rock Island District train hit her and her black Labrador, Billy, the report stated. Midlothian police and Metra are continuing to investigate the incident by reviewing video from the train and locating witnesses to interview, the report added.

The accident happened at about 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, roughly 50 feet south of the 147th Street crossing, the report stated. Harris had been walking to a CVS pharmacy near where she lived with her husband, a trip she had made on foot in the past.

The engineer was pulling the train into the station when he spotted Harris and Billy at the edge of the west track's platform, the report stated. That's when he blew the train's horn. Metra said the gates, lights and warning bells at the crossing were working, the report added.

Delays occurred because of the accident, and Harris's husband of 25 years, Bobby, suspected his wife was the victim when he heard the news about what was holding up the train he was waiting to take him home from work in Chicago, the report said. His fears were confirmed after he reached the hospital and was told of his wife's death, the report added.

"We had a little laugh, and I said, 'I love you. Bye,' " Harris told CBS 2 Chicago regarding his final phone call with his wife shortly before the accident.

Even though Kelly Harris had made the walk before, Bobby Harris — who also is legally blind — believes his wife might have gotten turned around or possibly disoriented, according to ABC 7. He told CBS 2 that his wife had had Billy for only five months and the two were still getting comfortable with one another.

"He was a good boy, and he was just having a little trouble getting used to things, so they were having a little more trouble bonding because she wasn’t out every day," Harris said.

Billy was alert and in stable condition when he was taken to the Animal Welfare League for treatment Monday, ABC 7 reports. The guide dog, however, lost a leg in the accident, according to CBS 2.

More via ABC 7 Chicago and CBS 2 Chicago

Watch Now: Blind Woman Killed By Midlothian Metra Train

The 147th Street Metra train crossing in Midlothian where Kelly R. Harris, 54, was fatally hit Monday night while walking with her guide dog. (Image via Google Earth)