I-55 has been closed in 2 places after a large crash caused a near-blackout condition on the highway, Illinois State Police said. It is being reported that there might be more than a dozen vehicles involved in the accident.
A dust storm is currently making visibility difficult on the scene. The wind is blowing dirt from across the road, from the nearby farm fields. the speed of wind might be 25 mph or more.
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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
Dust storm in Central Illinois between Divernon and Farmersville. Both lanes of I-55 shut down. @NWSStLouis @NWS #illinoiswx pic.twitter.com/VqwiPlyB9o
— Greg (@gwith99) May 1, 2023
All lanes I-55 have been shut down between Litchfield and Divernon, south of Springfield, Illinois on a 27-mile stretch. Between the two rural cities, there is a distance of about 30 miles. Families involved in the crash have been directed to the Divernon City Hall, which is being used as a reunification center
According to authorities, troopers from Troop 6 and 8 responded to the site where multiple crashes happened. The accidents took place near I-55 milepost 78 just after 11:00 a.m. It is being reported that 37 HAZMAT-trained first responders have responded to the wreckage site involving over 20 vehicles.
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There are also a number of injuries that occurred due to the crash. The extent of the injuries was not immediately clear.
Traffic is being detoured on IL-48 and IL-104 through Taylorville, IDOT said. Drivers are being urged to take a different route.
