Officials in Illinois said on Monday that multiple people were killed after 40 to 60 cars and at least 20 commercial vehicles crashed in a dust storm.
ABC7 Chicago reported that over 30 people were injured and several people were killed from the string of car accidents on I-55.
“I-55 is shut down both south and northbound I-55 from milepost 63 to 80 at this time due to a large crash,” Illinois State Police said in a statement. “Traffic is being diverted onto the frontage road.”
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) said in a tweet that the crash was “caused by a dust storm, which has greatly reduced visibility.”
“I-55 traffic is being detoured via Illinois 104 and Illinois 48 through Taylorville,” IDOT added.
I-55 traffic is being detoured via Illinois 104 and Illinois 48 through Taylorville. We will continue to provide updates as soon as we have them.
— IDOT_Illinois (@IDOT_Illinois) May 1, 2023
“It actually looks like snow almost when I was sending [my kids] videos,” said Karen Leach, who was inside the storm. “And it just it feels like, like the end of the world.”
Rep. Nikki Budzinksi (D-IL) tweeted, “My team and I are closely following the devastating crash on I-55 as authorities learn more.”
“I’m heartbroken by the devastating reports of fatalities in the crash on I-55 today,” she added. “My thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of these individuals and everyone who has been hospitalized with injuries.”
This is a breaking news story; refresh the page for updates.