Union Pacific employee killed in Melrose Park incident identified

MELROSE PARK, Illinois. – A Union Pacific Railroad employee died in an accident at the Proviso Yard in Melrose Park early Saturday morning.

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. at the rail yard at 5050 W. Lake Street, Union Pacific said in a statement.

“We are saddened by the loss of a family member from Union Pacific in Melrose Park, Illinois, and extend our deepest condolences to his family and the employees who worked with him,” the statement said.

The Cook County coroner identified the employee as 27-year-old Justin Pender. His cause of death has not yet been released.

According to social media posts, a candlelight vigil for Pender will be held Tuesday evening.

No one else was injured in the incident, Union Pacific said.

The National Transportation Safety Board is involved in the investigation, which is still ongoing.