Montgomery County, IL-(Effingham Radio)- From ISP Troop 8:
UPDATE: Northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 55 were reopened to traffic at approximately 6 a.m. this morning (May 2nd).
UNIT: ISP Troop 8
LOCATION: Interstate 55 near Milepost 76, north of Farmersville, Montgomery County
DATE and TIME: May 1, 2023 at approximately 10:55 a.m.
BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Preliminary information indicates the following occurred: ISP Troops 6 and 8 responded to the above area for multiple crashes with injuries. Interstate 55 is currently shut down in both directions from milepost 63 to milepost 80. Visibility in the area is reported to be low due to blowing dust. Traffic is urged to seek alternate routes.
At 10:55 a.m. there was a crash on northbound Interstate 55 at Milepost 76. At the same time, there were numerous crashes on southbound Interstate 55 at Milepost 76. Approximately 20 commercial motor vehicles and 40 to 60 passenger cars were involved. This includes two truck-tractor semi-trailers that caught fire as a result of the crashes.
At this time, we have reports of more than 30 people being transported to the hospital and multiple fatalities. The cause of the crash is due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway leading to zero visibility.
This information is still preliminary and the ISP continues to investigate this crash. We will have more information at our next briefing at 4:30 p.m.
Also, more information is being released by the Teutopolis FPD Facebook Page in regards to this accident:
Update 5:30pm 05/01/2023: The following update has been provided by the Illinois State Police:
BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Preliminary information indicates the following occurred: ISP Troops 6 and 8 responded to the above area for multiple crashes with injuries. Interstate 55 is currently shut down in both directions from milepost 63 to milepost 80. Visibility in the area is reported to be low due to blowing dust. Traffic is urged to seek alternate routes.
At 10:55 a.m. there was a crash on northbound Interstate 55 at Milepost 76. At the same time, there were numerous crashes on southbound Interstate 55 at Milepost 76. The crashes occurred within a two-mile stretch – from roughly Milepost 76 to Milepost 78.
Approximately 30 commercial motor vehicles and 40 to 60 passenger cars were involved. This includes two truck-tractor semi-trailers that caught fire as a result of the crashes.
At this time, we have reports of more than 30 people being transported to the hospital and multiple fatalities. Injuries range from minor to life-threatening and ages range from two-years-old to 80-years-old.
Reports show there are six fatalities, all occurring in the northbound lanes. We do not have any additional information on those individuals at this time.
The cause of the crash is due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway leading to zero visibility.
This information is still preliminary and the ISP continues to investigate this crash. There will be no more in-person updates. Please continue to send all media inquiries to ISP.PIO.Personnel@illinois.gov or follow our social media feeds.
Update 05/1/23 9:33pm: The following has been released by the Illinois State Police:
BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Preliminary information indicates the following occurred: ISP Troops 6 and 8 responded to the above area for multiple crashes with injuries. At 10:55 a.m. there was a crash on northbound Interstate 55 at Milepost 76. At the same time, there were numerous crashes on southbound Interstate 55 at Milepost 76. The crashes occurred within a two-mile stretch – from roughly Milepost 76 to Milepost 78.
At this time, 72 vehicles are reported being involved in the crash. A total of 37 people were transported to area hospitals. Injuries range from minor to life-threatening and ages span from 2-years-old to 80-years-old.
Reports show there are six fatalities, all occurring in the northbound lanes. At this time, one decedent has been identified as 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, WI. The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office is working diligently to identify the other five individuals and notify their families.
Northbound and southbound lanes remain closed. Once the interstate is cleared of all vehicles, the Illinois Department of Transportation will have to inspect the roadway before it is re-opened.
This information is still preliminary and the ISP continues to investigate this crash. Please continue to send all media inquiries to ISP.PIO.Personnel@illinois.gov or follow our social media feeds. Please see the link below for photos of the crash scene.
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