A former NIU wrestler was killed Friday night while attempting to cross railroad tracks in downtown DeKalb.

Joseph W. Henning, 28, was attempting to run across the Second Street railroad crossing at 11:08 p.m. Friday when he was struck by an eastbound Union Pacific train, according to a press release from the DeKalb County Coroner. Henning was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Dave Grant, former head coach of NIU Wrestling, said Henning was an outstanding individual who was loved by many people.

“He was the kind of guy that would do anything for the team,” Grant said. “He was just well-loved.”

According to niuhuskies.com, Henning competed for the NIU wrestling team from 2003 to 2005 and was named the Mid-American Conference’s Wrestler of the Week in February 2004.

The accident remains under investigation by the DeKalb Police Department and the DeKalb County Coroner.

Editor’s Note: Sports editor Jimmy Johnson contributed to this article.