Traffic & Transit
2 Crystal Lake Residents Among 7 Killed In I-55 Crashes: State Police
Six of the seven people killed when a dust storm led to a series of crashes along I-55 have been identified.
ILLINOIS — Illinois State Police have now released the names of six of the seven people killed in a series of crashes along I-55 during a dust storm on Monday, including two Crystal Lake residents.
On Saturday, state police identified two of the victims as Joseph Bates, 73, and Donna Bates, 71, both of Crystal Lake.
Other victims who have been identified include Michael Zinchuk, 55, and Amy Zinchuk, 54, of Champaign; 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, Wisconsin; and 64-year-old Earl LeGrand of Florissant, Missouri.
Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Caryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
State police have yet to positively identify the seventh victim.
Monday's dust storm near Farmersville in Montgomery County closed a nearly 20-mile stretch of I-55 after high winds and dirt from nearby farm fields created blackout conditions, leading to multiple crashes involving 72 vehicles.
Find out what's happening in Crystal Lake-Caryfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
State police initially said six people were killed, but later said "the severity of the crash masked the remains and what was previously believed to be the remains of one individual was two."
More than 30 people were taken to area hospitals after the crashes.
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Champaign Couple ID'd Among Victims Killed In I-55 Dust Storm Crashes
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