Several people were killed and dozens of others have been injured, on Monday (May 1) after a series of car crashes along Interstate 55 in southern Illinois, United States during a dust storm, said the state police. Around 80 vehicles, 40-60 passenger vehicles and about 20 commercial vehicles were involved in both directions of the I-55.
At least two commercial vehicles caught fire “as a result of the crashes,” said Ryan Starrick from Illinois State Police, in a press briefing. He added, “At this time, we have reports of more than 30 people being transported to the hospital and multiple fatalities. The cause of the crash was excessive winds blowing dirt from farm field across the highway leading to zero visibility”.
However, the crash is being placed under further investigation, said the official. The incident took place shortly after 11:00 am (local time). The highway will remained closed in both directions several hours later, reported Reuters. The crashes occurred in both the southbound and the northbound lanes. The state police official said the pileup was near the town of Farmersville, over 300 kilometres away from Chicago.
The condition of those injured was not immediately clear. Meanwhile, The Illinois Department of Transportation had also, in an earlier statement, said I-55 was closed in both directions between Divernon and Farmersville, Illinois in Sangamon and Montgomery counties. “Traffic is being diverted onto the frontage road. Motorists are urged to take an alternative routes,” said the IDOT.
Meanwhile, US Representative Nikki Budzinski of Illinois took to Twitter and wrote, “My team and I are closely following the devastating crash on I-55 as authorities learn more. Please be safe as this situation continues to unfold.”
My team and I are closely following the devastating crash on I-55 as authorities learn more. Please be safe as this situation continues to unfold. https://t.co/QBZdAFkYUd
— Rep. Nikki Budzinski (@RepNikkiB) May 1, 2023
The National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois, issued a “blowing dust warning” at 1:25 pm (local time) adding that “severely limited visibilities are expected. Travel will be dangerous and possibly life-threatening”.
More to follow….
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