Woman Critically Injured by MetroLink Train in East St. Louis

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A 38-year-old Collinsville woman, Crystal Young, suffered severe injuries including the amputation of her left leg below the knee after being struck by a MetroLink train at the Emerson Park station in East St. Louis on Tuesday. Her mother, Kim Young, said Crystal was on her way to a job interview when the incident occurred and that Crystal had recently received threatening text messages, leading Kim to request an investigation into whether the prior threats were connected to the collision.

Why it matters

This incident raises concerns about safety at MetroLink stations and the potential for targeted violence against commuters. The mother's request for an investigation highlights the need to ensure the security and well-being of public transit users, especially in light of any prior threats made against the victim.

The details

According to authorities, Crystal Young was in a crosswalk when she was struck by the MetroLink train around 12:30 pm on Tuesday. She suffered multiple severe injuries, including the amputation of her left leg below the knee, a spinal cord injury, head trauma, a broken eye socket, and broken ribs. Crystal's mother, Kim Young, said her daughter often rides MetroLink and was on her way to a job interview in St. Louis when the incident occurred. Kim also stated that Crystal had received threatening text messages from a man and woman about two weeks prior, leading her to request that police investigate whether those threats were connected to the collision.

• The incident occurred around 12:30 pm on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
• Crystal Young had received threatening text messages from a man and woman about two weeks prior to the collision.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Kim Young plans to contact police to request an investigation into whether the prior threats made against her daughter were connected to the collision at the Emerson Park MetroLink station.