Railroad tracks looking east from Randall Road. (CREDIT: Google Maps)

The Kane County Coroner’s Office has identified the 24-year-old Batavia man who died Friday (July 5, 2019) from injuries he sustained when he was struck by a freight train while on the Union Pacific railroad tracks west of the Randall Road Bridge.

The Coroner’s Office said Charles Grimse was pronounced deceased at 4:30 p.m. Friday. According to a Coroner’s Office news release, the cause of death remains under investigation.

According to a city of Geneva news release, Geneva Police Department and Fire Department personnel were dispatched to the scene around 3:51 p.m. Friday July 5, for a train accident involving a pedestrian.

Upon arrival, emergency responders located a 24-year-old man on the railroad tracks, just west of the Randall Road bridge. The victim was unresponsive and not breathing.

Emergency medical services were provided, but responders could not revive the victim.

The preliminary investigation indicates the victim was walking west along the wooden railroad ties, on the outside of the railroad tracks. The victim was on the southern side of the tracks with an eastbound freight train on the northern tracks.

The railroad tracks looking west from Western Avenue. (CREDIT: Google Maps)

A second freight train was headed west on the southern tracks. The westbound train continuously sounded the air horn and immediately applied the emergency stop brakes.

Witness accounts indicate the victim did not turn around to make visual contact with the westbound train. His attention was focused on the eastbound train. The victim was struck by the westbound train on the railroad tracks just west of the Randall Road Bridge.

The stopped train caused Western Avenue to be closed for more than five hours during the investigation.

The accident remains under investigation by the Geneva Police Department as well as the Kane County Coroner’s Office.

Questions should be directed to Geneva Police Cmdr. Brian Maduzia by calling 630-232-4736 or emailing bmaduzia@geneva.il.us.

SOURCE: city of Geneva news release

Charles J. Grimse Obituary

SOURCE: Moss Funeral Home website

July 11, 1994 – July 5, 2019

Charles was an original. Son, brother, friend, writer, singer, musician, actor.  Charles was a spark from day one.

He oozed personality. He was dynamic and drew people to him. He was extremely clever.

Charles had a love of words that was immesurable. He had a talent for turning a phrase. He understood the world through words, sounds, and music. His love for books and sound began as a baby.

Charles loved books and would sit and look through board book after board book and was able to read by age 4.

One astute middle school teacher called him a “renaissance man with an attitude.”  He loved classic rock, spinning vinyl, and all sorts of video games — from pixelated PC games to Nintendo 64 classics to Final Fantasy on the Play Station.

Charles was a proud graduate of BHS and Waubonsee Community College, and also attended Milliken University and Columbia College, Chicago. While a student, Charles worked at Barnes & Noble, where he enjoyed his daily interactions with guests and co-workers.

Charles was a gift – a gift to all who knew him. He was so loved and will be so missed.

He is survived by his heartbroken friends and family. Parents Amy and James, brothers Jack (Inga Guliyeva) & Patrick. Grandparents: Judith Dye and Len Paplaskus, Victor Dye and Joyce Richards. Aunts and Uncles: Alison and Daniel Sylwestrak, Lisa Dye and Steve Kushner, Ralph and Denise Grimse, Mark and Brenda Grimse, Grant and Laura Paplaskus.

And by his beloved cousins: Stephen Sylwestrak and SonjaMae Yanton Lanowitz, Walker Vance and Hyeji Boo, Brittany Sylwestrak, Phillip Sylwestrak, Ralph and Amanda Grimse, Jennifer and Terry Scherr. Charles is preceded in death by his devoted grandparents Ralph and Virginia Grimse.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Charles’ love of learning and books with a donation to the Batavia Public Library.  https://bataviapubliclibrary.org/foundation/

A Celebration of Charles’ life will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 11, with short program at 6:30 p.m., reception to follow at Riverview Banquets, 1117 N. Washington Ave., Batavia.