Police release final name of seven persons killed in dust storm crashes on I-55
The Illinois State Police Thursday released the name of the last person to be identified among the seven persons killed in a series of crashes during a dust storm on Interstate 55 in Montgomery County on May 1.
Otto Medina-Salazar, 58, of Carthage, Missouri, died in one of the crashes, police said in a news release.
Here are the names of six victims previously identified:
- Joseph Bates, 73, Crystal Lake, Illinois
- Donna Bates, 71, Crystal Lake, Illinois
- Shirley Harper, 88, Franklin, Wisconsin
- Earl LeGrand, 64, Florissant, Missouir
- Michael Zinchuk, 55, Champaign, Illinois
- Amy Zinchuk, 54, Champaign, Illinois
There were 72 vehicles involved in the crashes and 37 people were injured with injuries ranging from minor to critical.
Drivers encountered “brown out” conditions when high winds blew topsoil from farm fields. The crashes occurred on I-55 near Milepost 76 north of Farmersville in Montgomery County.
“ISP recognizes the impact of this tragic event and offers its condolences to families and friends mourning their loss,” the news release stated.
This story was originally published May 11, 2023 at 1:59 PM.
