FARMERSVILLE, IL – One of the six people killed in a horrific crash involving 72 vehicles Monday Interstate 55 north of Farmersville in southern Illinois has been identified.
Illinois State Police reported early Tuesday one of the victims was identified as 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, WI. According to authorities the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office is working diligently to identify the other five individuals and notify their families. Two of the victims are confirmed from Champaign, Illinois but their names have not yet been released.
The crash resulted in six fatalities and 37 people being transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening.
The Illinois State Police (ISP) have set up a hotline number, 618-346-3653, for people involved in the crash to provide information or ask questions. The northbound and southbound lanes of the interstate has since been inspected by the Illinois Department of Transportation and have since reopened.
Governor Pritzker released a statement Monday afternoon, stating he is closely monitoring the situation and that his team is in constant communication with the ISP, Department of Transportation, and Emergency Management Agency to ensure the safety of motorists as they navigate dangerous conditions.
The ISP continues to investigate this crash, and this information is still preliminary. Motorists are urged to avoid the area and find alternative routes until further notice.
