`Multiple fatalities' on Illinois highway following crashes
Update: The crash left 6 people dead and 37 people injured.
DIVERNON, Ill. (AP) — A windstorm in south-central Illinois kicked up clouds of dust Monday, causing numerous crashes, pileups and “multiple fatalities” on Interstate 55, police said.
The crashes occurred late in the morning and involved 40 to 60 passenger cars and multiple tractor-trailers, two of which caught fire, Illinois State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick said. The highway was shut down in both directions in Montgomery County, 75 miles (120 kilometers) north of St. Louis.
“The cause of the crashes is due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway, leading to zero visibility,” Starrick said at a news conference.
He reported that there were “multiple fatalities” but did not give an exact number, saying that would be released later in the day.
He said more than 30 people were transported to hospitals with injuries following the crashes, which occurred in both the southbound and the northbound lanes.
New photos of the crash on I-55 near Divernon. https://t.co/9PVzTlh4cu pic.twitter.com/CabG3u0TPY
— WICS ABC 20 (@wics_abc20) May 1, 2023
Starrick said such blinding duststorms have happened before on Illinois roads “where unfortunately you have excessively high winds” that blow the topsoil from fields. Farmers are currently busy planting fields across Illinois and the Midwest region.
Starrick said I-55 would be closed until late morning or early afternoon Tuesday.
“Visibility in the area is reported to be low due to blowing dust," Illinois State Police said earlier in a statement. “Traffic is urged to seek alternate routes.”
The Auburn Travel Center in Divernon was established as a reunification spot for travelers.
The Chicago Journal needs your support.
At just $12/year, your subscription not only helps us grow, it helps maintain our commitment to independent publishing.
If you're already a subscriber and you'd like to send a tip to continue to support the Chicago Journal, which we would greatly appreciate, you can do so at the following link:
Send a tip to the Chicago Journal