Dust storm causes massive pileup on I-55
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois State Police Troops 6 and 8 responded to the above area for multiple crashes with injuries. At 10:55 a.m. there was a crash on northbound Interstate 55 at Milepost 76. At the same time, there were numerous crashes on southbound Interstate 55 at Milepost 76. The crashes occurred within a two-mile stretch – from roughly Milepost 76 to Milepost 78.
At this time, 72 vehicles are reported being involved in the crash. A total of 37 people were transported to area hospitals. Injuries range from minor to life-threatening and ages span from 2-years-old to 80-years-old.
Reports show there are six fatalities, all occurring in the northbound lanes. At this time, one decedent has been identified as 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, WI. The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office is working diligently to identify the other five individuals and notify their families.
Northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 55 were reopened to traffic at approximately 6 a.m. this morning.
This information is still preliminary and the ISP continues to investigate this crash. Please continue to send all media inquiries to ISP.PIO.Personnel@illinois.gov or follow our social media feeds.
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