PHOTOS: I-55 crashes shut down NB lanes in Channahon
Traffic was diverted from northbound lanes of I-55 between Bluff Road and U.S. 6 about 8:15 a.m. while police worked to clear three separate crashes that caused "several" injuries around 7:45 a.m.
No one died in any of the crashes, but at least three people were injured. The right lane of the northbound expressway remained closed Monday afternoon.
Based on preliminary information, the first crash started at I-55 northbound north of Route 6. Three crashes involving at least four vehicles, including two semis, occurred just north of Route 6. About 1,000 feet south of Route 6, two additional passenger vehicles collided. The third crash, about a quarter of a mile farther south, involved two semi-trucks and an SUV. One semi-truck struck the rear of the SUV that veered into a ditch. The same semi-truck struck another semi that was stopped.
A helicopter at one point sat near Bluff Road awaiting the extrication of the driver of one of the semis involved. The cab of that truck appeared nearly destroyed. Police say the driver was eventually airlifted to a hospital.
It was unclear how long the remaining expressway lanes would remain closed, but Illinois State Police have announced it would be "lengthy."
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
