I-55 closed until Tuesday for ‘multiple fatality’ 60 to 80 vehicle pileup amid dust storm

Officials say that I-55 near Springfield, Illinois, will likely remain closed into Tuesday after a massive pileup crash that left dozens injured and several killed.

The crash occurred shortly before 11 a.m. on May 1 on I-55 south of Springfield, Illinois.

Illinois State Police said a crash occurred on northbound I-55 at mile marker 76 at 10:55 a.m. At the same time, there were “numerous crashes” on southbound I55 at mile marker 76.

Current estimates from ISP indicate that 40 to 60 cars and 20 tractor trailers were involved in a pileup.

ISP said that two tractor trailers caught fire as a result of the pileup crash.

Troopers said that more than thirty people have been transported to hospitals for treatment.

ISP reports that there are multiple fatalities.

I-55 is closed in both directions between mile markers 52 — 80 and is expected to remain closed until Tuesday. The Illinois Department of Transportation says that I-55 traffic is being detoured via Illinois 104 and Illinois 48 through Taylorville.

Twenty-mile long traffic backups have been reported in the area.

ISP named the cause of the crash as “excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway, leading to zero visibility.”

The video below was captured by truck driver Nathan Cormier.