(Photo : MURTADHA RIDHA/AFP via Getty Images)
Six people were killed in a series of highway crashes in rural Illinois caused by a blinding dust storm.
(not the actual photo)
- A rare dust storm caused vehicle crashes in Illinois
- Passenger cars and commercial vehicles were involved in the crashes
- Illinois Interstate 55 road would remain closed until the evening
Six people were killed, and at least 37 others were injured in damages Monday when a rare dust storm blew through near farms and onto a roadway in a rural area of Illinois, creating "zero visibility" conditions, according to the Illinois State Police.
According to authorities, the incidents occurred on both sides of a two-mile stretch of Interstate 55 in central Illinois just before 11 a.m. Passenger cars and commercial vehicles were involved in the crashes, including two tractor-trailers that caught fire.
Illinois Dust Storm Causes Huge Pileup
The police later stated that 72 automobiles were involved in the crashes, with all six deaths occurring in the northbound lanes, NY Times reported. The disaster occurred in Farmersville, Illinois, south of Springfield and west of Indianapolis. As of early Tuesday morning, the roadway in that region was still closed in both directions.
The injured varied in age from 2 to 80 years old, with injuries ranging from mild to life-threatening, according to police. They noted that it had been challenging to extricate passengers from their vehicles, some of which were engulfed in flames.
According to police, the dust storm came on quickly, making conditions akin to a snowfall whiteout, in which vision is considerably limited.
The incidents involved two large rigs that had caught fire and other commercial trucks and passenger automobiles, the latter of which made up most of the damage, according to State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick. According to the latest state police statement, all fatalities were discovered in the northbound lanes. However, there was further devastation on the southbound side.
Per NBC News, one of the collision victims was 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, Wisconsin. The Montgomery County Coroner's Office expected to identify others in the coming days.
"This is not uncommon," remarked Starrick. "This has happened before in various parts of the state of Illinois."
Read Also: Japan, South Korea Finance Ministers Hold 1st Bilateral Meeting in 7 Years
Illinois Interstate 55 Remains Closed
However, he said that the number of automobiles and injuries were uncommon. During the news conference, a Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency official stated that it was difficult to reach the injured because some vehicles were on fire when first responders arrived.
On Monday, the National Weather Service predicted "widespread blowing dust" with gusts up to 34 mph for the Farmersville region. Winds were blowing from the northwest, according to federal forecasts. USA Today said Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker called the Monday incident "horrific." Interstate 55 was closed in both directions for about 30 kilometers.
Several cars and tractor-trailers were in disarray on both sides of the interstate, with billowing smoke and dust. Flames could still be seen from at least one car. One image showed a nearly apocalyptic picture of burned debris silhouetted against the cloud.
I55 dust storm and reported 100 car pile up. pic.twitter.com/gyIvg2Owqc
— James Lewallen (@JamesLewallenIV) May 1, 2023
A dust storm caused by high winds and dry soil has resulted in multiple fatalities, with at least 30 people taken to hospitals after a 100+ vehicle pileup on I-55 south of Springfield, Illinois. pic.twitter.com/BwVkQsYKYc
— Shaun Tyson (@ShaunPTyson) May 1, 2023
People who want to reunite with people involved in the crash should call 1-800-RedCross. Officials predicted that the road would remain closed until the evening, and passengers were advised to seek other routes. According to Weather.com, gusts of 35 to 45 miles per hour blew through the area.
Related Article: Texas, Chicago Clash Over Migrant Crisis
