Crime & Safety
4 Killed in High-Speed I-55 Crash Monday Afternoon
A fifth person died in an unrelated crash nearby in the opposite lanes of I-55.
Four women were killed in a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 55 near Arsenal Road, according to State Police, and four people were severely injured.
The chain-reaction crash in the northbound lanes began when a speeding semi-tractor truck pushed three cars into another semi as they entered a construction zone near Elwood.
The accident took place about 2:30 p.m.
"The witnesses the truck passed told us the truck was driving at a high rate of speed in their estimation and traffic was all at a dead stop as it was merging," said State Police Cmdr. Randy Ness.
The driver of the truck is the focus of the investigation, according to authorities, and has undergone drug and alcohol testing.
"Our investigating officers, commercial vehicle officers, are all looking into his log books - everything related to his driving," Ness said.
The four people injured were airlifted to area hospitals. They remained hospitalized Monday night, reports ABC 7 Chicago.
A second crash, near Route 6 and Channahon, took place in the southbound lanes shortly after the first crash. This also involved three semi trucks. One person died in that crash.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
