Journalist Dies In Chicago Train Accident At Age 22

A journalist just starting her career at age 22 passed away in July. She was hit by a commuter train in Chicago. She worked for NewsNation as a recent Ball State graduate.

Grace Bentkowski was hit by the electric train at the Hegewisch South Shore station on July 25. This is a station that services commuters coming in from neighboring state Indiana.

“Grace Bentkowski was a rising star at NewsNation,” Jonathan Killian, Vice President, Creative Marketing and Brand Standards, said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “Her passion for journalism and eagerness to learn the ropes was infectious and her willingness to jump in and learn the TV news business was inspiring to her colleagues. Grace was one of those rare people who brought light into any room in which she entered.” “We are heartbroken for her loved ones and family, and she will never be far from our hearts,” added Killian (NewsNation VP).

According to WGN news, Grace messaged her family she would be shopping after leaving early from NewsNation in the heart of Chicago. Then, she started back to Dyer, Indiana. According to People “and when exiting her train at Hegewisch station — where passengers have to walk across the train tracks to access the parking lot, according to the outlet — her family said she saw other commuters in front of her cross the tracks, however, her view was obstructed by a concrete pillar.”

Grace’s father was tracking Grace on the Life360 app, he saw she made it on the train. Next, he noticed a delay for the South Shore website over a train-pedestrian accident.

“I got a bad feeling she was the one who was hit, as soon as I saw she ended up at University of Chicago I hopped in the car and drove down there,” he said. “I spoke to District 3 CPD or transit police and they asked ‘Are you related to Grace Bentkowski?’ ” Grace was rushed to the University of Chicago Emergency room alive and pronounced dead after many hours of surgery. It has been reported that Grace suffered internal injuries.

The family viewed a video of the accident and believes the conductor failed to blow the horn as the train speeded up. The conductor sounded the horn after a loud noise was heard.

Grace’s brother created a GoFundMe to pay for cremation, medical costs, and other costs. He wrote:

“I am Adian Bentkowski, the surviving brother of Grace Marie Clare Bentkowski. Late Thursday night, we received the news that Grace was involved in an accident. Later that night, we learned that she did not make it. It’s with heavy hearts that we break this news to anyone. I wish this was all a dream and I could just wake up and hold my sister one more time. As her brother, this is tough on me, losing my best friend, but to my parents, this is so much harder. My mom, Erin O’neill Bentkowski, and my father, Phil Bentkowski, lost their precious baby girl. Getting through this is going to be hard but we know Grace is going to take care of us from above.”

Adian continued, “Grace touched many people’s lives at the young age of 22. She was a striving journalist and the hardest worker there is. She managed to make such a big impact at 22 years old, and I wish we could’ve had her here longer. This gofundme will be used for medical costs, cremation, and a celebration of life for Grace, which she would’ve wanted. We appreciate you all so much, and Grace loved every single one of you. Although we lost such a beautiful and caring soul, she is now with all of us. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we go down this road together. Much love, Adian, and the Bentkowski Family.”

Rest in Peace