Rising NewsNation Journalist Grace Bentkowski Dead At 22

NewsNation journalist Grace Bentkowski has died at the age of 22 after being struck by a train in Chicago, WGN 9 reported on Tuesday (August 13).

Bentkowski, who was recently hired as a creative producer for the cable news network, was among a group of commuters crossing ground-level tracks at Hegewisch South Shore station when she was suddenly plowed by a train leaving the platform on July 25. Riders must walk over the tracks at Hegewisch South Shore station in order to reach the nearby parking lot.

Grace's father, Phil Bentkowski , said he reviewed footage of the accident, which showed that the train failed to sound its whistle before striking his daughter and her view appeared to be obstructed by a large concrete pillar.

“It’s the worst nightmare ever,” he said. “[There was] no noise, no nothing. From the video all you hear is a thud. Then the engineer blows a horn.”

Grace recently graduated from Ball State University with a degree in telecommunications and journalism and had previously worked for NewsLink Indiana and WANE 15 before being hired by NewsNation in May. A GoFundMe page launched by her brother, Aidan , in an effort to help pay for "medical costs, cremation, and a celebration of life for Grace" has raised more than $27,762, exceeding its initial goal of $15,000, as of Thursday (August 15).