SPRINGFIELD, IL – The death toll from the devastating dust storm crash that occurred earlier this month on I-55 in Montgomery County, Illinois, has risen to eight.
State police confirmed this week 81-year-old Ruth Rau from Sorento, Illinois passed away this week in the hospital, becoming the latest victim of the tragic incident.
The catastrophic pileup involved over 70 vehicles and claimed the lives of seven other individuals on May 1st. Ruth M. Rau succumbed to her injuries Tuesday night while receiving medical treatment.
The Illinois State Police (ISP) expressed their condolences to the families and friends affected by this heart-wrenching event. They also extended their gratitude to the first responder partners and sister agencies for their invaluable work and assistance during the incident.
The crashes took place on both northbound and southbound Interstate 55, between mile markers 72 and 78 near Farmersville in Montgomery County. A total of 72 vehicles were involved, and 37 people were transported to nearby hospitals,
suffering injuries ranging from minor to critical.
As the community mourns the loss of eight lives, the investigation into the cause of the dust storm crash continues. The ISP is committed to uncovering the factors that contributed to this tragedy and ensuring measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The victims’ names previously released include Shirley Harper, 88, from Franklin, WI; Joseph Bates, 73, and Donna Bates, 71, both from Crystal Lake, IL; Earl LeGrand, 64, from Florissant, MO; Michael Zinchuk, 55, and Amy Zinchuk, 54, both from Champaign, IL; and Otto Medina-Salazar, 58, from Carthage, MO.
