Two young men were fatally struck by a freight train early Friday in Crete.

A Union Pacific train from Texas to Dolton struck the adults near the 1st Street Crossing about 12:45 a.m., according to Union Pacific Spokesman Mark Davis.

Jack W. Pozdoll, 23, of Steger and Christopher J. Hartwig, 19, of Crete, were both pronounced dead at 2:15 a.m. on the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, about 200 feet west of the intersection of Linden Street and Park Road, according to the Will County Coroner’s Office.

The train, which was permitted to travel in the area at up to 60 miles per hour, attempted to warn the two by blowing its horns and activating its emergency break, but the two didn’t get out of the train's way, Davis said.

Davis said the two were near a train crossing, but were walking on the train tracks towards the oncoming train. The coroner's office said they were apparently the victims of a pedestrian versus freight train mishap.

Investigators will analyze an event recorder device and a camera aboard the train to gain further information on the accident, Davis said.

The train had two locomotives and 41 cars, and arrived in Dolton just before 6 a.m.

The coroner’s office said an autopsy will be performed later Friday to determine the cause of death and the manner of death will be determine at a later date.

Crete police referred all calls to the Union Pacific.

Sun-Times News Group