6 injured in crashes during dust storms, Illinois State Police say
UPDATE 5/22/24: This article has been updated with information about persons injured Tuesday.
Six people were injured in crashes in Logan County during a dust storm on Tuesday, Illinois State Police say.
Portions of Interstate 55 and Interstate 74 have reopened after being closed Tuesday afternoon because of dust storms .
The I-55 closure was in the area of Milepost 144 to Milepost 146 near McLean, while the I-74 closure was from Milepost 149 to Milepost 160, Illinois State Police said.
In Logan County, there there four crashes on Illinois 154 near 2000 Avenue at about 5:48 p.m. Tuesday, and nine vehicles had to be towed from the scene, state police said Wednesday. Six people were taken to area hospitals. Their medical conditions were not released by police.
“Numerous counties in central Illinois are experiencing low to zero visibility due to dust blowing across roadways, including Logan, Morgan and Sangamon counties,” Illinois State Police said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “Never drive into a dust storm. Find an alternate route or wait for conditions to improve.”
The National Weather Service had said high winds ahead of a storm front expected for Tuesday night would cause blowing dust into early Tuesday evening.
On May 1, 2023, crashes during a dust storm on I-55 caused the deaths of eight people near Farmersville.
At least 72 vehicles were involved in the crashes when wind gusts up to 45 mph and dust from surrounding agricultural fields combined to reduce visibility on the highway between mile markers 72 and 78. Thirty-seven people were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening, state police said last year.
