TV Producer, 22, Killed by Train in Chicago: ‘Worst Nightmare Ever’

Mar. 15, 2025

“We are heartbroken for her loved ones and family, and she will never be far from our hearts,” added Killian, the head of her department.

According to Bentkowski’sLinkedIn page, she started working at NewsNation in May and graduated from Ball State University in Indiana.

Grace Bentkowski.Grace Bentkowski/facebook

grace bentkowski train track victim

Grace Bentkowski/facebook

“We have the kids on a Life360 app and we saw that she got on the train,” Grace’s father Phil Bentkowski told the outlet. “And then a delay came up on the South Shore website. The next one said train-pedestrian accident. I thought, ‘Glad it’s probably not her.' ”

“I got a bad feeling she was the one who was hit, as soon as I saw she ended up at University of Chicago I hopped in the car and drove down there,” he added. “I spoke to District 3 CPD or transit police and they asked ‘Are you related to Grace Bentkowski?' ”

Hegewisch South Shore station in Chicago.Google maps

Hegewisch South Shore station in Chicago

Google maps

Grace was transported to the emergency room at the University of Chicago Medical Center alive, per the outlet, but after hours of surgery, she was pronounced dead.

According toDeadline, Grace suffered internal injuries in the incident.

A South Shore Line commuter train.Alamy

A South Shore Line commuter train

Alamy

“No noise, no nothing. From the video all you hear is a thud. Then the engineer blows a horn,” Phil said, adding that his daughter was “thrown 50 feet” in the accident.

“She was beautiful inside and out,” her grandmother Maryann O’Neill told the outlet. “She knew what she wanted to do in life and it was the news. (When asked about other schools) she said ‘No, it’s Ball State — that’s where I want to go.’ She was blessed in so many different ways.”

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“I wish this was all a dream and I could just wake up and hold my sister one more time,” the page’s description reads. “As her brother, this is tough on me, losing my best friend, but to my parents, this is so much harder.”

Metra, who owns most of the station, according to the outlet, said they will review the incident.

“Metra is in touch with NICTD to review the circumstances of this tragic incident, they said in a statement, per the outlet. “We extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this young woman.”

Metra did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

source: people.com