At least 20 commercial vehicles involved in deadly Illinois pileup

Multiple people are dead and dozens more injured after a dust storm caused a massive pileup on Interstate 55 in Illinois on Monday.

The crashes began around 11 a.m. local time in Montgomery County, about 75 miles northeast of St. Louis. 

Massive pileup on I-55 south of Springfield, Illinois has closed the interstate for nearly 30 miles. Blowing dust off freshly plowed fields led to very low visibility#ilwx
: Nathan Cormier pic.twitter.com/im7QLE8BTp

— Nick Hausen (@NickHausenWx) May 1, 2023

Illinois State Police Maj. Ryan Starrick told The Associated Press that more than 30 people were transported to hospitals, adding there were “multiple fatalities.” 

In a news release, the Illinois State Police said at least 20 commercial vehicles and 40 to 60 cars were involved. Two semi-trailers caught fire as a result of the crashes. Images from the scene show burned-out tractor trailers and passenger vehicles. 

Interstate 55 in southern Sangamon and northern Montgomery counties remains closed in both directions because of numerous crashes caused by a dust storm, which has greatly reduced visibility. (photo via @wics_abc20) pic.twitter.com/rYbWKndJa6

— IDOT_Illinois (@IDOT_Illinois) May 1, 2023

The cause of the crash is high winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway, leading to zero visibility, the release states.

As of 4 p.m. local time, the interstate was still closed in both directions as emergency crews worked the scene.

This is a developing story.

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