Pileups, 1 involving up to 70 cars, reported near Illinois-Wisconsin border – NBC Chicago
Several pile-ups near the Illinois-Wisconsin border on Friday, including one that sent 27 people to hospital, closed several major roads ahead of the afternoon rush hour and as mobs of snow were crossing the area.
Illinois State Police say an accident was reported around 1:45 p.m. on Interstate 94 westbound at Russell Road involving between 15 and 70 cars.
The Wisconsin State Patrol alerted the police department to the accident just across the Illinois-Wisconsin border, which eventually closed the freeway.
Traffic was diverted from the road on both Route 173 and Russell Road, according to Illinois State Police, who said they were assisting with the crash.
Another crash occurred around 2 p.m., closing both directions of I-39/90 in Rock County between Beloit and Janesville.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation said the crash involved multiple vehicles and advised motorists to avoid the area as first responders worked to assist drivers and investigate the crash.
Authorities told NBC affiliate WREX that “up to 50 vehicles” were involved and authorities said 20 to 50 cars were involved. A spokesperson for Beloit Memorial Hospital told NBC News that the hospital had seen a total of 27 patients following the collision and no deaths had been reported.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, an injury occurred in the crash along I-39 near mile marker 181 between Beloit and Janesville in Rock County.
Officials said harsh winter conditions in the area were a factor in the initial accident.
Check back for more on this developing story.
NBC Chicago
