This was a very rare and catastrophic event for the state: NWS, ISP reflect on deadly I-55 dust storm crash one year later [Video]

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) – When drivers traveled on I-55 south of Springfield on May 1, 2023, they faced more than just typical traffic: a wall of dust blanketed the highway.

“In my experience, I have seen certain instances such as this,” Ryan Starrick, the Illinois State Police (ISP) southern region command major, said. “That would have had to have been with winter weather.”

Strong winds blew dirt from nearby farm fields creating zero visibility for drivers. The dust storm resulted in an 84-vehicle pile up that killed eight people.

For nearly a day, the interstate was shut down in both directions as emergency crews worked to clear the wreckage.

“That was something that I haven’t experienced to that magnitude, but have we had to close the road due to dust storms or multi-vehicle crashes, yes, but to the magnitude of May 1, that was something different that day.” Starrick said.

It was the first time the National Weather Service …