Six dead in Central Illinois dust storm crashes
By Accident.NEWS
Publish Date: May 1, 2023
multiple fatalities and injuries
At least six people were killed and more than 30 others were hospitalized after a dust storm caused multiple vehicle crashes along a major highway in Central Illinois on Monday.
The crashes occurred along I-55, leading to the interstate's closure in Sangamon and Montgomery counties. Police say dust from newly plowed fields took over the highway, causing zero visibility.
Illinois State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick said the injured ranged in age from 2 to 80 years old. At least 40 to 60 passenger cars and 30 commercial vehicles crashed along a 2-mile stretch of I-55. Two semi-trucks also caught fire.
The interstate in southern Sangamon and northern Montgomery counties will remain closed as officials investigate and clear vehicles. The cause of the crash is due to excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway leading to zero visibility.
The National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois, issued a "blowing dust warning" at 1:25 p.m. CT, stating that severely limited visibility is expected, and travel will be dangerous and possibly life-threatening.
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Tags: Fatality, Springfield, Illinois, Injuries, Emergencyresponse, Duststorm, I55, Fatalities, Weatherwarning
Incident at a Glance
- Parties Involved:
- unknown
- Vehicles:
- passenger cars, commercial vehicles, semi trucks
- Fatality:
- YES
- State:
- Illinois
- City:
- Springfield
- Location:
- I-55 in Sangamon and Montgomery counties
- Date of Incident:
- 2023-05-01
- Time of Incident:
- unknown
I-55 in Sangamon and Montgomery counties
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