At Least 6 Dead After Dust Storm Causes Pileup in Illinois
At least six people are dead and dozens are injured after a massive highway pileup on Monday morning due to a dust storm in Illinois.
The pileup in Montgomery County involved 30 commercial vehicles and 40 to 60 private vehicles, the Illinois State Police (ISP) said in a preliminary statement at 5:45 p.m. local time.
There were also two truck-tractor semi-trailers that caught fire due to the crashes, the ISP added.
The crashes took place around 10:55 a.m.
At least one crash took place on the northbound Interstate 55 at Milepost 76. Meanwhile, “numerous crashes” took place on the southbound Interstate 55 at Milepost 76, which resulted in further crashes within a two-mile stretch from Milepost 76 to Milepost 78, according to ISP.
Police said at least six people died, all in the northbound lanes, adding that no more information is available about the casualties at this time.
Over 30 people were sent to the hospital, with injuries from minor to life-threatening. They were aged 2 to 80.
“The cause of the crash is due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway leading to zero visibility,” the agency stated.
Interstate 55 is now shut down in both directions from milepost 63 to milepost 80.
St. Louis National Weather Service had warned on Monday morning to “be careful” while driving in the area due to a “[c]ombination of newly plowed fields [and] gusty northwest winds” that were “generating a dust storm.”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, issued a statement in response to the deadly pileup.
“I am closely monitoring the horrific situation at the Macoupin and Sangamon County line on 1-55,” he said.
“My team is in constant communication with the Illinois State Police, Department of Transportation, and Emergency Management Agency to ensure the safety of motorists as they navigate dangerous conditions.
“On the ground, our first responders and emergency management teams are working diligently to clear the road, provide medical care to those in need, and collaborate with local officials to provide support to everyone affected by this tragic accident.”
