On March 15, 1999, Amtrak's southbound City of New Orleans passenger train collided with a steel-laden semi-trailer truck at a grade crossing in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The impact derailed both locomotives and 11 of the train's 14 cars, resulting in the deaths of 11 people and injuries to 121 others, alongside over $14 million in damages. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) attributed the cause of the wreck to truck driver John R. Stokes, who misjudged the crossing signals and attempted to beat the train across the tracks, despite past traffic violations. In response, the NTSB recommended stricter enforcement of grade crossing signals, installation of event recorders at new or improved crossings, and better procedures to provide emergency responders with accurate crew and passenger lists. To honor the victims, the town of Bourbonnais erected a memorial near the crash site, serving as a permanent reminder of the tragedy.