Illinois’s interstate reopens after over 70 cars collided during a dust storm, leaving at least 7 people dead.

At least seven people were killed when more than 70 cars crashed along Interstate 55 in central Illinois due to a dust storm. The collisions happened in Montgomery and Sangamon counties, south of Springfield, the state capital, just before eleven in the morning.

Thirty-seven people were brought to the hospital with injuries varying from non-life-threatening to potentially fatal.

The victims were between the ages of 2 and 80. Among the deceased was Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wisconsin. Five further victims were identified: Michael Zinchuk and Amy Zinchuk from Champaign; Joseph Bates and Donna Bates from Crystal Lake; and Earl LeGrand from Florissant, Missouri.

 Although the identity of the seventh victim is still unknown, state police are collaborating with the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office to identify the individual. All of the fatalities were recorded in the northbound lanes, however the wrecks happened in both the north and southbound lanes.

Tuesday morning saw the reopening of the freeway in both directions.