UPDATE (May 8, 2023): Reports now identify five additional victims killed due to the truck accident that occurred during the dust storm. Two of the victims were 73-year-old Joseph Bates and 71-year-old Donna Bates, both of Crystal Lake. Two others from Champaign were 55-year-old Michael Zinchuk and 54-year-old Amy Zinchuk. The fifth was a 64-year-old Missouri man names Earl LeGrand. A seventh victim remains unidentified at this time. No further information about the crash is currently available.

UPDATE (May 4, 2023): Reports say that another person was confirmed deceased due to the crash, bringing the death toll to seven. No further information is currently available.

Montgomery County, IL — May 1, 2023, Shirley Harper and five others were killed and dozens were injured in a massive pile-up accident at 11:00 a.m. on I-55.

News outlets indicate the series of collisions occurred along both northbound and southbound lanes of the interstate in the area between Litchfield and Divernon.

There was apparently a significant amount of dust blowing across the interstate, limiting visibility for drivers. In a series of events not entirely clear at this time, a collision occurred during the dusty conditions, and it was followed by a series of collisions which involved approximately 72 vehicles, according to reports. Many of those vehicles were said to be commercial vehicles.

One of the people who lost their life in the crash was identified as Shirley Harper of Wisconsin. Five others are said to have died, but their identities are unavailable at this time. Authorities suggest that upwards of thirty other people were taken to hospitals with various injuries. Right now, details about those injuries remain unclear.

Authorities continue to investigate the chaotic chain of events to find out what other factors may have contributed to the collisions.

[jump]