Six people were killed and at least 30 people were hospitalized in a series of crashes along Interstate 55 Monday afternoon, according to Illinois State Police District 20 Commander Ryan Starrick.
Police said it happened just before 11 a.m. near Farmerville, Ill., in Montgomery County, about 24 miles south of Springfield.
A dust storm led to poor visibility on the roads, and police said crashes happened almost simultaneously on the northbound and southbound lanes of I-55, officials said.
Starrick said as many as 80 vehicles may have been involved in the pileup.
“Initial reports are that we had two truck-tractor semitrailers have caught fire as a result of the crash,” Starrick said. “We have some initial reports that there could have been an explosion. We can’t confirm that at this time, but we do know that two commercial motor vehicles did catch fire.”
Starrick said that at least 30 people were hospitalized in the crashes, with injuries ranging from minor to life threatening. At least one person was transported via helicopter.
The ages of the injured ranged from 2 years old to 80 years old.
Farm-related work in the area may have created the waves of blowing dust, WBBM Newsradio’s Dave Dahl reported.
The interstate was closed in both directions from Divernon -- about 10 miles south of Springfield -- to Litchfield, which is about forty miles south of Springfield.
Traffic was being diverted and motorists are urged to stay away from the area. Illinois State Police said the expressway would likely be closed until Tuesday.
Check back for details.
Related
Listen to our new podcast Courier Pigeon
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram