The Twitter photo released by Illinois Department of Transportation on May 1, 2023, says "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." (Xinhua)
The crashes were caused by "excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway leading to zero visibility."
CHICAGO, May 1 (Xinhua) -- A dust storm caused pileups from vehicle crashes on a highway in U.S. Midwest state of Illinois on Monday, according to local authorities.
More than 30 people have been sent to hospital for injuries, and the number of fatalities has not been confirmed.
State police troopers responded to numerous crashes about 11 a.m. Monday on both directions of I-55 in Montgomery County, south of Springfield, capital of Illinois, the Chicago Tribune quoted the police as saying Monday.
About 20 commercial motor vehicles and 40 to 60 passenger cars were involved in the crashes, including two tractor-trailers that caught fire.
The crashes were caused by "excessive winds blowing dirt from farm fields across the highway leading to zero visibility," police said. I-55 is currently shut down in both directions.
State police are investigating. ■
