In a heart-wrenching turn of events, Grace Bentkowski, a 22-year-old rising star at NewsNation, was tragically struck and killed by a train at Chicago’s Hegewisch South Shore station on July 25. The young journalist’s death has not only shocked her family and colleagues but also ignited a call for immediate action to address the glaring safety issues at the transit hub.
Grace, a recent Ball State University graduate and newly-hired creative producer for the cable news network, was crossing ground-level tracks with other commuters when the tragedy unfolded. According to reports, a train departing the platform crashed into her, despite the apparent absence of warning signals.
“It’s the worst nightmare ever,” said Phil Bentkowski, Grace’s distraught father, in an interview with WGN 9. “There was no noise, no nothing. From the video, all you hear is a thud. Then the engineer blows a horn.”
The Bentkowski family has raised serious concerns about the station’s safety protocols. Phil Bentkowski reviewed footage from the scene and found that the train failed to sound its whistle as Grace approached, and a large concrete pillar obstructed her view of the oncoming train. Additionally, Grace was not distracted by headphones or a phone at the time of the accident; she was carrying only her car keys.
“The train didn’t even give a warning,” Phil Bentkowski continued. “It’s 2024, and we don’t have basic ‘stop, look, listen’ signs? It makes no sense. This is a serious safety issue.”
The accident has spurred the Bentkowski family to advocate for urgent improvements at the South Shore station. They argue that the lack of proper warnings and safety measures contributed to the tragic incident.
Grace Bentkowski had recently begun her career at NewsNation after interning there and covering Indiana’s local elections. Her grandmother, Maryann O’Neill, described her as a passionate and dedicated journalist. “She was beautiful inside and out,” O’Neill told WGN 9. “She knew what she wanted to do in life and it was the news.”
The young journalist’s untimely death has led her family to set up a Gofundme page to cover her cremation and other expenses. As of Wednesday, the page had raised over $27,000. Her brother, Adian, poignantly described Grace as his “best friend” and expressed the deep loss felt by the family.
NewsNation expressed its sorrow over the loss of Grace Bentkowski, calling her a “rising star” and praising her infectious passion for journalism. “Grace was one of those rare people who brought light into any room in which she entered,” the network said in a statement.
In response to the accident, the South Shore train line announced plans to introduce interim warning signs at the station and is consulting with an engineering firm to explore permanent safety enhancements. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, but the transit agency has pledged to address the safety concerns raised by the tragic event.
As the investigation continues, the Bentkowski family’s fight for improved rail safety serves as a poignant reminder of the need for effective measures to protect commuters and prevent future tragedies.
