(The following story by Jim Newton appeared at ChicagoSuburbanNews.com on October 9.)
LAKE BLUFF, Ill. — A sailor’s claim that he was robbed and choked unconscious before losing his arm in a Metra train accident Sunday was cast in doubt Monday when police said evidence didn’t support that chain of events.
What is clear is that 20-year-old Brandon Garrison of Lake Bluff, Calif., was struck by a southbound Metra train on the Union Pacific District North Line on Sunday evening about a half mile south of the Great Lakes depot on Sheridan Road. Garrison’s right arm was severed.
Lake Bluff police were notified of the accident at 7:38 p.m.
Garrison was listed in fair condition Monday afternoon, according to a spokesperson for Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.
According to Lake Bluff police, prior to being airlifted to the hospital, Garrison told Great Lakes authorities that he had been attacked from behind on a Sheridan Road bike path, robbed, choked unconscious and dragged onto the train tracks.
Garrison apparently walked from the scene of the accident to the base and sought help from guards posted at the base gates, police said.
But Deputy Chief David Belmonte said Monday afternoon that extensive reviews of evidence collected at the scene, as well as interviews with Naval police and Garrison on Monday afternoon, revealed “several inconsistencies” with Garrison’s story.
Police said that in a preliminary interview with Garrison, he said the incident occurred at 7:15 p.m., and that the alleged offender was reported to be wearing a jacket, but he could provide no other identifying factors.
Investigators are continuing to evaluate the incident and are conducting more interviews with the gate guards and roommates of the victim, but according to a release Monday afternoon, “officers have been able to confirm that this incident was not a robbery, and the victim’s wallet, jewelry and other personal items are not missing.”
Lake Bluff Police Chief William Gallagher said he does not believe there is any risk to the public in the area, but extra patrols have been initiated on bike paths as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Lake Bluff Police Department at (847) 234-2153.
Ken Cronk, a public affairs spokesman for the Navy base, said he had no additional information and that the Lake Bluff Police Department is in charge of the investigation.
A Metra spokesperson said passenger trains were delayed for up to an hour and a half following the accident, and that Union Pacific freight trains also were delayed Sunday night.