(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Two Crystal Lake residents were among those identified as victims from a series of crashes Monday on Interstate 55, which involved 72 vehicles and killed seven people near Springfield.
Illinois State Police said Joseph Bates, 73, and Donna Bates, 71, who called Crystal Lake home, died in the pileup. ISP released the names of three other victims, as well: Earl LeGrand, 64, from Florissant, Mo.; Michael Zinchuk, 55, from Champaign; and Amy Zinchuk, 54, from Champaign.
Authorities previously identified 88-year-old Shirley Harper, from Franklin, Wis., as another victim.
ISP said it is working with the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office to confirm the identity of the final remaining victim, which will be made public after family notifications have been made.
The crash happened Monday morning on both northbound and southbound Interstate 55, after high winds blew heavy amounts of dust onto the highway. ISP Director Brendan Kelly described the result as “blackout conditions.”
Nearly 40 survivors, who ranged in age from 2 to 80, were transported to area hospitals.
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