At least six people were killed and more than 30 injured after a dust storm caused pileups from vehicle crashes and a shutdown of Interstate 55 Monday morning, according to Illinois State Police.
State police troopers responded to “numerous crashes” about 11 a.m. Monday on northbound and southbound I-55 within a 2-mile stretch from roughly milepost 76 to 78 in Montgomery County, south of Springfield, state police said. About 30 commercial motor vehicles and 40 to 60 passenger cars were involved in the crashes, according to preliminary information, including two tractor-trailers that caught fire.
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Injuries ranged from minor to life-threatening among people ages 2 to 80 years old. The six fatalities all occurred in the northbound lanes. No additional details about the deaths were immediately available.
The crashes were caused by “excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway leading to zero visibility,” state police said.
I-55 is currently shut down in both directions from milepost 63 to milepost 80, according to state police.
“Visibility in the area is reported to be low due to blowing dust,” the agency said in a written statement. “Traffic is urged to seek alternate routes.”
State police are investigating.
Check back for updates.
