Driver Charged In Fatal Metra Crash In South Chicago

CHICAGO – A Chicago man was driving under the influence when his SUV crashed into a Metra Electric Line in South Chicago, killing a passenger and injuring three others, including himself, Metra police said.

Moises Perez, 19, was charged with one count of reckless homicide, two counts of aggravated DUI causing death, four counts of aggravated DUI causing great bodily harm, two counts of aggravated driving without a license, and disobeying a railroad crossing.

Around 12:30 a.m. Feb.12, Perez allegedly disregarded the gates at the 87th Street crossing near Baltimore Avenue on the Metra Electric Train’s South Chicago Branch. Perez drove around the gates and proceeded eastbound through the crossing, where his SUV was struck by a northbound train, Metra police said

A passenger in the vehicle, 19-year-old Elissa J. Hernandez, of Chicago, was pronounced dead at the scene. Three others, including the driver, were transported to local hospitals; two remain hospitalized with critical head injuries. Chicago police officers were the first to arrive on the scene.

Metra officials said the crossing gates were functioning at the time of the crash, when the driver disregarded the gates and lights and proceeded eastbound through the crossing.

Perez was arraigned in Cook County Circuit Court and was ordered detained. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 5.