Illinois dust storm – live: Drivers describe blind terror of 72-car pile-up that killed six in Springfield

The first victim has been identified after a dust storm caused a 72 vehicle pile-up on the I-55 outside of Springfield, Illinois.

The massive pile-up occurred during a dust storm with low visibility on Monday morning.

Six victims were killed while 37 were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening, and those hurt are two to 80 years old, Illinois State Police said in a statement.

Shirley Harper, 88, was named as the first victim killed in the tragedy.

The Montgomery County Coroner’s office is working to identify the five others and notify their families.

Kevin Schott, the director of Montgomery County’s Emergency Management Agency, said that efforts to rescue victims were hampered by the thick dust on the scene as well as multiple vehicle fires which made it difficult to get to “victims in a rapid manner”.

“This is a difficult scene, something that is very hard to train for, something that we really haven’t experienced locally,” he said.

Key Points

• At least six dead in crash after dust storm

• First victim identified as 88-year-old woman

• Dust storm causes ‘numerous crashes’ on I-55

• What is a dust storm?

Thick dust made rescue efforts difficult

07:00 , Graig Graziosi

Kevin Schott, the director of Montgomery County’s Emergency Management Agency, said that efforts to rescue victims were hampered by the thick dust on the scene as well as multiple vehicle fires.

These conditions made it difficult to get to “victims in a rapid manner”, he said.

“This is a difficult scene, something that is very hard to train for, something that we really haven’t experienced locally,” he said.

“We had to search every vehicle, whether they were involved in the accident or just pulled over, to check for injuries.”

Everything we know about the massive dust storm car crash on I-55 in Illinois

06:00 , Graig Graziosi

Six people were killed in the crash.

Everything we know about the massive dust storm car crash on I-55 in Illinois

ICYMI: Governor JB Pritzker monitoring ‘horrific situation’

04:59 , Graig Graziosi

Illinois governor JB Pritzker has issued a statement in the aftermath of the pile-up on I-55 saying he is “closely monitoring the horrific situation at the Macoupin and Sangamon County line”.

“My team is in constant communication with the Illinois State Police, Department of Transportation and Emergency Management Agency to ensure the safety of motorists as they navigate dangerous situation,” he tweeted.

“On the ground, our first responders and emergency management teams are working diligently to clear the road, provide medical care to those in need and collaborate with local officials to provide support to everyone affected by this tragic accident.”

Truck driver posts pictures of weather conditions

04:00 , Graig Graziosi

Dust storm ‘not uncommon’

03:00 , Graig Graziosi

The dust storm from tilling “not uncommon” during this time of year, said state police.

“This has happened before in various parts of the state of the Illinois, where unfortunately due to excessive high winds, that once the farmers have turned the field, the topsoil or the dirt that’s on top there gets loose,” said Illinois state police major Ryan Starrick.

“It’s extremely dry, and due to the excessive winds of the area, will blow across certain roadways.”

A “blowing dust warning” was issued for some counties in the area with it remaining in effect in Sangamon, Christian and Shelby counties, reported NBC Chicago.

‘We had to search every vehicle,’ says Montgomery County emergency services director

02:00 , Graig Graziosi

Kevin Schott, director of emergency services in Montgomery County, said Monday it was a “very difficult scene” and one that’s “very hard to train for.”

“We had to search every vehicle, whether they were involved in the accident or just pulled over, to check for injuries,” he said, adding that people were “upset — visibly so, understandably so.”

Authorities set up staging areas away from the crash site to help travelers reunite with friends and family.

Emergency director describes scene of crash

01:00 , Graig Graziosi

“We had multiple vehicles involved, some were on fire,” said Montgomery County EMA Director Kevin Schotthe during a news briefing.

“So we had vehicle fires to extinguish, we had to search every vehicle whether they were involved in the accident or just pulled over to check for injuries, to getting them out of there rapidly and getting to the hospital so that we can provide professional care for them.”

Video of fatal dust storm in Illinois

Wednesday 3 May 2023 00:00 , Graig Graziosi

‘You couldn’t even see’, says witness of massive highway pileup

Tuesday 2 May 2023 23:00 , Graig Graziosi

Evan Anderson, 25, who was returning home to St Louis from Chicago, said a semi turned before striking his vehicle, sparing him from even more damage.“You couldn’t even see,” Mr Anderson said.

“People tried to slow down and other people didn’t, and I just got plowed into. There were just so many cars and semitrucks with so much momentum behind them.”

Dairon Socarras Quintero, 32, who was driving to St Louis to make deliveries for his custom frame company based in Elk Grove Village, said that after his truck hit the vehicle in front of him, he exited and moved to the side of the road to ensure his safety, then returned after the chain reaction of crashes ended behind him.

Mr Socarras Quintero said the dust continued to blow ferociously as he checked on other motorists and emergency personnel arrived. He held up his backpack, which was caked with dust even though it was inside a closed truck cab.

Winds at the time were gusting between 35 mph (56 kph) and 45 mph (74 kph), the National Weather Service said.

PICTURED: The aftermath of the pile-up

Tuesday 2 May 2023 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

Portion of I-55 shut down again due to wind, dust storm warning

Tuesday 2 May 2023 21:18 , Graig Graziosi

Portions of I-55 have shut down again today due to dust storm and wind warnings, according to local reports.

I-55 was the site of a fatal pile-up accident Monday when high winds kicked up a dust storm that obstructed driver’s vision. Six people died in the accident.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has closed I-55 between the 72 and 80 mile markers, which is the same stretch of road where the pile-up occurred.

The National Weather Service issued a dust storm warning along US-51 for Pana, Illinois until 4:15 pm. A dust storm warning was also issued along I-55 near Farmersville and I-55 near Waggoner until 4:30 p.m.

Dust storm warning today for parts of Illinois, including portions of I-55

Tuesday 2 May 2023 20:58 , Graig Graziosi

A dust storm warning has been issued for parts of Montgomery County in Illinois, including portions of I-55 where a dust storm contributed to a massive and fatal pile-up accident on Monday.

The warning will last until 4:30pm.

“The alert has been updated to a “Dust Storm Warning” and is until 4:30 PM, very focused on northern part of Montgomery County, Weather Service is getting reports of reduced visibility along I-55 in that area,” KMOV chief meteorologist Steve Templeton wrote on Twitter.

Shirley Harper, 88-year-old grandmother killed in I-55 crash, remembered by her family

Tuesday 2 May 2023 20:20 , Graig Graziosi

Shirley Harper, 88, was one of the six individuals killed in the I-55 pile-up caused by a dust storm on Monday.

She leaves behind a large family and numerous grandchildren.

“She would talk to anybody, do anything for anybody,” Tim Shaffer, her son-in-law, told ABC7. “People like her, we need more of them in the world.”

Five others were killed in the crash. Police are seeking assistance from the public to identify two of the victims. The other three have been identified but have not been publicly named.

House Representative Nikki Budzinski remembers victims of I-55 pile-up

Tuesday 2 May 2023 20:07 , Graig Graziosi

House Representative Nikki Budzinski acknowledged the victims of the I-55 dust storm pile-up Tuesday in a tweet.

“My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the tragic crash on I-55 yesterday. Please join me in keeping them in our thoughts and prayers,” the lawmaker wrote.

Six people died in the crash.

Photos of wreckage from Monday’s crash

Tuesday 2 May 2023 19:31 , Graig Graziosi

A local reporter in Illinois captured photos of some of the wreckage cleared from I-55 following Monday’s fatal dust storm pile-up.

The Illinois State Police confirmed that approximately 72 vehicles were involved in the crash.

Illinois State Senate has moment of silence for victims of I-55 dust storm crash

Tuesday 2 May 2023 18:34 , Graig Graziosi

The Illinois State Senate had a moment of silence today to honour the six individuals killed in a pile-up crash during a dust storm on Monday afternoon.

“The Illinois Senate has risen in silence for a moment to honor the victims and first responders involved in yesterday’s terrible string of accidents, injuries and fatalities along I-55 south of Springfield,” the Senate said in a tweet.

Illinois investigators canvassing family members to identify final two victims

Tuesday 2 May 2023 17:35 , Graig Graziosi

Law enforcement officials in Illinois are canvassing families who fear their loved ones may have been involved in the I-55 dust storm crash in an attempt to identify the final two victims killed during the pile up.

“We believe we are communicating with family members and we are using variety of techniques and investigative capabilities to be able to confirm that these are in fact their family members that are the victims,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said during a press conference on Tuesday.

Four of the six victims have been identified. Only one, Shirley Harper, has been named. Two more individuals remain unidnetified, and police have asked for the public’s heath determining their names.

Illinois State Police say they need help to identify two bodies

Tuesday 2 May 2023 16:15 , Graig Graziosi

Illinois State Police have not been able to identify two of the crash victims and are asking for the public’s help.

Four of the six killed in the accident have been identified so far, but only one — Shirley Harper, 88 — has been named.

Driver who traveled through Illinois dust storm likened it to a ‘war zone'

Tuesday 2 May 2023 16:05 , Graig Graziosi

Quetta Penson told ABC7 she was on her way home to Chicago when she passed dozens of crashes on I-55 near Springfield on Monday.

She likened the disturbing scene to the aftermath of a battle.

“It felt like a war zone,” she said. “We could see bodies that were just lifeless laying in the grass on the side of the road.”

Drivers describe the chaotic dust storm accident

Tuesday 2 May 2023 15:42 , Graig Graziosi

Drivers who experienced the dust storm — and some who were involved in the accident — have spoken out about their experiences on the day of the massive pile up.

“You couldn’t even see,” Evan Anderson, 25, told The Associated Press. “People tried to slow down and other people didn’t, and I just got plowed into. There were just so many cars and semi trucks with so much momentum behind them.”

“The only thing you could hear after we got hit was crash after crash after crash behind us,” Tom Thomas, 43, said.

Police have identified, but not named, three other victims of Monday’s crash

Tuesday 2 May 2023 15:29 , Graig Graziosi

Law enfocement has reportedly identified three more victims in Monday’s crash.

Officials have not yet named the victims. Two of the victims were from Champaign, Illinois and one was from Florissant, Missouri, according to ABC7.

Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wisconsin, was the first of the six crash fatalities that police identified.

Traffic moving again on I-55

Tuesday 2 May 2023 14:48 , Graig Graziosi

The aftermath of Monday’s pileup can still be seen around I-55, though all of the road obstructions have been cleared and traffic appears to have returned to normal.

What is a dust storm?

Tuesday 2 May 2023 13:40 , Rachel Sharp

A dust storm is a wall of dust and debris that is blown into an area by very strong winds which are often produced by thunderstorms, according to the NOAA.

The wall of dust can be miles long and several thousand feet high.

Dust storms are more common in areas that are flat and that have very few trees and plants, as this allows winds to build up momentum.

The weather event is more common in the Middle East and North Africa but are also known to happen in the US, particularly in the Southwest during the spring.

How common are dust storms in Illinois?

Tuesday 2 May 2023 13:20 , Rachel Sharp

Dust storms aren’t unheard of in the area of the crash.

“This has happened before in various parts of the state of the Illinois, where unfortunately due to excessive high winds, that once the farmers have turned the field, the topsoil or the dirt that’s on top there gets loose,” major Ryan Starrick said on Monday during his press conference.

“It’s extremely dry, and due to the excessive winds of the area, will blow across certain roadways.”

Emergency director describes scene of crash

Tuesday 2 May 2023 13:01 , Graeme Massie

“We had multiple vehicles involved, some were on fire,” said Montgomery County EMA Director Kevin Schotthe during a news briefing.

“So we had vehicle fires to extinguish, we had to search every vehicle whether they were involved in the accident or just pulled over to check for injuries, to getting them out of there rapidly and getting to the hospital so that we can provide professional care for them.”

First victim identified

Tuesday 2 May 2023 12:40 , Rachel Sharp

The first victim has been identified after a dust storm caused a 72 vehicle pile-up on the I-55 outside of Springfield, Illinois.

The massive pile-up occurred during a dust storm with low visibility on Monday morning.

Six victims were killed while 37 were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening, and those hurt are two to 80 years old, Illinois State Police said in a statement.

Shirley Harper, 88, was named as the first victim killed in the tragedy.

The Montgomery County Coroner’s office is working to identify the five others and notify their families.

Thick dust made rescue efforts difficult

Tuesday 2 May 2023 12:20 , Rachel Sharp

Kevin Schott, the director of Montgomery County’s Emergency Management Agency, said that efforts to rescue victims were hampered by the thick dust on the scene as well as multiple vehicle fires.

These conditions made it difficult to get to “victims in a rapid manner”, he said.

“This is a difficult scene, something that is very hard to train for, something that we really haven’t experienced locally,” he said.

“We had to search every vehicle, whether they were involved in the accident or just pulled over, to check for injuries.”

Video of fatal dust storm in Illinois

Tuesday 2 May 2023 12:03 , Graeme Massie

PICTURED: The aftermath of the pile-up

Tuesday 2 May 2023 11:40 , Rachel Sharp

‘You couldn’t even see’, says witness of massive highway pileup

Tuesday 2 May 2023 11:00 , Namita Singh

Evan Anderson, 25, who was returning home to St Louis from Chicago, said a semi turned before striking his vehicle, sparing him from even more damage.“You couldn’t even see,” Mr Anderson said.

“People tried to slow down and other people didn’t, and I just got plowed into. There were just so many cars and semitrucks with so much momentum behind them.”

Dairon Socarras Quintero, 32, who was driving to St Louis to make deliveries for his custom frame company based in Elk Grove Village, said that after his truck hit the vehicle in front of him, he exited and moved to the side of the road to ensure his safety, then returned after the chain reaction of crashes ended behind him.

Mr Socarras Quintero said the dust continued to blow ferociously as he checked on other motorists and emergency personnel arrived. He held up his backpack, which was caked with dust even though it was inside a closed truck cab.

Winds at the time were gusting between 35 mph (56 kph) and 45 mph (74 kph), the National Weather Service said.