I-55 reopens after deadly crashes and shutdown due to a dust storm, officials say – Chicago Tribune

Multiple vehicles were involved in a crash on I-55 in Montgomery County, south of Springfield, on May 1, 2023. (Nathan J. Cormier)

Interstate 55 reopened early Tuesday morning after a series of traffic crashes that killed six people within a two-mile stretch near Springfield during a Monday dust storm, Illinois State Police officials said.

Both northbound and southbound lanes near milepost 76 were reopened about 6 a.m. Tuesday. At least 72 vehicles were reportedly involved in numerous crashes on southbound I-55 from milepost 76 to milepost 78, police said.

At least 37 people were taken to area hospitals for treatment. The injuries ranged from minor to life-threatening from ages 2 to 80 years old, officials said.

The fatalities all happened in the northbound lanes, and as of Tuesday morning, one of those individuals identities was released.

[ At least 6 dead, more than 30 injured after dust storm causes crashes and shutdown of I-55 near Springfield, police say ]

Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wisconsin, was pronounced dead in the crash, according to the Montgomery County Coroner’s office, who was working to identify the other five individuals.

Illinois State Police were holding a news conference at about 9:30 a.m. on the deadly crashes.

Check back for more information.