ISP Troop 8: I-55 near Milepost 76, north of Farmersville, Montgomery County; May 1, 2023, at approximately 10:55 a.m.
Illinois State Police Troop 8 reported that on May 1, around 10:55 a.m., ISP Troops 6 and 8 responded to the area of I-55, near milepost 76 north of Farmersville, for multiple crashes with injuries. At 10:55 a.m. there was a crash on northbound I-55 at milepost 76. At the same time, there were numerous crashes on southbound I-55 at milepost 76. The crashes occurred within a two-mile stretch – from roughly milepost 76 to milepost 78.
Seventy-two vehicles were reported being involved in the crash. A total of 37 people were transported to area hospitals. Injuries range from minor to life-threatening, with ages spanning from two to 80 years old.
Reports show there are six fatalities, all occurring in the northbound lanes. At this time, one decedent has been identified as 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, Wisconsin. The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office is working diligently to identify the other five individuals and notify their families.
Northbound and southbound I-55 remained closed most of the day and reopened only to close again on May 2, again for visibility issues.
ISP continues to investigate the crash.