Normal, IL – Student Killed by Train

Normal, IL – Family and friends of 20-year-old David Hirsch of Hoffman Estates are mourning the loss of a kind, outgoing young man.

The Illinois State University special education major and 2005 Hoffman Estates High School graduate was struck by a train and killed in downstate Normal.

Normal police and McLean County coroner are investigating but have little to go on as to what happened.

Police said Hirsch was walking north across the tracks when he was struck by the train heading northeast. The train had been slowing to stop at the station in downtown Normal.

Chief Deputy Coroner Barb Nafziger said investigators don't know more about why Hirsch stepped in front of the train. She said he left his MP3 player at home, the train was sounding its horn and the driver of at least one car was honking a horn at him at the time.

One close friend, Marina Tecktiel knew David through Beth Tikvah she said, "Some people who didn't know him are saying that he walked around gates or that he was wearing headphones, and they don't even know that," she said.

"None of this makes any sense," Tecktiel added.

Police called to the scene in Normal found Hirsch lying on the south side of the tracks.

They also said the crossing arms were down and the lights were functioning properly at the time.

Paramedics took Hirsch to BroMenn Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Many of Hirsch's friends are driving or flying in from their schools for the Sunday funeral, which will be preceded by meetings with Rabbi Max Weiss and with others to help the kids cope with their grief. The gathering of friends will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Congregation Beth Tikvah, 300 Hillcrest Blvd. [dailyherald]