Family of Champaign couple killed in I-55 pileup crash downstate during dust storm speak publicly

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill. (WLS) -- The family of Amy and Michael Zinchuk of Champaign, who were killed Monday in the massive pileup crash on I-55 caused by a dust storm, have spoken publicly for the first time.

A memorial was held for them Friday.

Mike Zinchuck was from Chicago and his wife Amy was from a small town downstate. They leave behind three children.
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Seven people total were killed and at least 30 others were injured in the massive pileup Monday just south of Springfield.

RELATED: Illinois dust storm pile-up crash on I-55 involving 72-vehicles leaves 7 dead, over 30 hurt

Illinois State Police previously identified another victim as 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, Wisconsin.
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One other person from Florissant, Missouri has been identified, but their name has not yet been released, police said.



The remaining victims remained unidentified. One victim was in a blue Chrysler 300 and another was driving a Hyundai, police said.

Crushed vehicles lined the expressway south of Springfield, closing a nearly 20-mile stretch of I-55. A total of 72 cars crashed into each other, with drivers describing the burned and mangled metal as surreal.