Wilmington, IL – Interstate 55, which was closed for over six hours following a series of devastating crashes, has now reopened as of 4:30 AM. The tragic incidents, involving multiple vehicles including semis, resulted in the death of a Wilmington woman and injuries to five others.
Braceville Fire Protection District reported that the initial crash occurred around 7:30 PM Friday, involving two semis at mile marker 231 on I-55 northbound. Although the semis were engulfed in flames, no injuries were reported in this incident. Two vehicles collided near mile marker 230 in the northbound lane, a result of the traffic backlog from the first crash. One individual was injured in this second incident. The third and most fatal crash involved a semi-truck striking two vehicles slowing down in the southbound lanes near mile marker 231. Grundy County Coroner John Callahan reported Dawn Hall, 53, of Wilmington, tragically lost her life in this collision.
The multi-vehicle accidents also resulted in two life-threatening injuries and two moderate injuries. Illinois State Police, along with several other agencies, responded to the scene. The stretch of I-55 between Dwight and Coal City was closed to facilitate cleanup and investigation efforts.
