Head of Chicago area’s rail system kills self by stepping in front of train, officials say

Ill. rail chief dies in apparent suicide by train

CHICAGO — Authorities say the executive director of the Chicago area’s Metra commuter rail service has died of an apparent suicide after he stepped into the path of one of his agency’s trains.

Phil Pagano was under investigation into allegations that he received an unapproved $56,000 bonus. McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren says he died Friday morning.

Nygren says a train engineer put on the emergency brakes when he saw Pagano on the tracks about 50 miles northwest of Chicago but was unable to stop. He says Pagano died instantly.

Metra announced on April 30 that Pagano was under investigation and he had been placed on paid administrative leave.

Metra said Friday that there’s a “tremendous sense of loss within the agency.” Pagano’s attorney had no comment.