NewsNation journalist Grace Bentkowski has died at the age of 22 after being struck by a train in Chicago, WGN 9 reported on Tuesday (August 13).
Bentkowski, who was recently hired as a creative producer for the cable news network, was among a group of commuters crossing ground-level tracks at Hegewisch South Shore station when she was suddenly plowed by a train leaving the platform on July 25. Riders must walk over the tracks at Hegewisch South Shore station in order to reach the nearby parking lot.
Grace’s father, Phil Bentkowski, said he reviewed footage of the accident, which showed that the train failed to sound its whistle before striking his daughter and her view appeared to be obstructed by a large concrete pillar.
“It’s the worst nightmare ever,” he said. “[There was] no noise, no nothing. From the video all you hear is a thud. Then the engineer blows a horn.”
Grace recently graduated from Ball State University with a degree in telecommunications and journalism and had previously worked for NewsLink Indiana and WANE 15 before being hired by NewsNation in May. A GoFundMe page launched by her brother, Aidan, in an effort to help pay for “medical costs, cremation, and a celebration of life for Grace” has raised more than $27,762, exceeding its initial goal of $15,000, as of Thursday (August 15).
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