The mother of two young children was struck and killed Wednesday morning on Chicago's south side in what officials said may have been a case of inattentiveness.
Gardenia Boyer, 23, was hit at around 7 a.m. by a southbound Rock Island District train near a grade crossing at West 95th Street and South Vincennes Avenue. The train was not in service at the time, Metra officials said.
"She was a beautiful person. She has two beautiful little girls," Boyer's friend, Daphne Washington, told NBC Chicago.
Boyer, of Hammond, Ind., was reportedly on her way to work at the time.
Some Metra trains were delayed for a short time as investigators tended to the scene. The agency was able to get one track open "relatively quickly," said spokesman Tom Miller.
Initial reports from investigators said Boyer may have been wearing headphones and didn't hear the approaching the train.
"Nobody should have to learn this lesson the hard way," said Ald. Howard Brookins (22nd), whose ward includes the area.
Editor's note: A previous version of this article incorrectly reported the victim's last name.
