(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- All lanes on Interstate 55 were closed Monday afternoon due on a downstate portion of the expressway near Springfield due to a series of crashes that, according to Illinois State Police, have left numerous people dead and dozens injured.
The collisions occurred near milepost 78 just around 11 a.m. in Montgomery County, state police said. Authorities say dirt blowing in the area created visibility problems for drivers.
Illinois State Police said an exact number on how many people had been killed would come later.
Ryan Starrick, the District 10 Commander for Illinois State Police, 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.”
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.
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