2 dead, more injured in 5-car pileup on I-88 in DeKalb County – Shaw Local

Two people were killed and scores more injured in a five-vehicle pileup on Interstate 88 in DeKalb County on Tuesday when a pickup truck collided with another car, leading to additional collisions, authorities said.

More than four hours later, all eastbound lanes on I-88 were still temporarily closed. Authorities did not provide an estimate as to when the lanes would reopen.

The multi-vehicle crash was reported at 5:19 p.m. Tuesday on eastbound I-88, east of Hinckley Road near mile marker 99 in Cortland, according to Illinois State Police.

Two passengers in the same vehicle were pronounced dead, according to state police. As of Tuesday, 9:06 p.m., authorities have not determined the identities of those involved in the accident or the deceased. As of Tuesday evening, no charges or arrests have been announced.

According to ISP, the pileup occurred just hours after another crash involving a semi-truck on eastbound I-88 early Tuesday.

Due to the cleanup work on the trucks, traffic was already disrupted during rush hour on Tuesday evening, authorities said.

The driver of a pickup truck failed to stop in time to adjust to slowing traffic and struck another vehicle, setting off a chain reaction, according to preliminary state police investigations. The second vehicle struck a third, which struck a fourth and then a fifth vehicle, causing a pileup.

One of the drivers was flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital with injuries. Another reported minor injuries.

All eastbound lanes of I-88 remain temporarily closed as of 9:06 p.m. Tuesday, ISP spokeswoman Shannon Barrea said. Traffic in the eastbound lanes is being diverted via Peace Road in DeKalb, authorities said.

This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.