1 person identified in 72-car crash in Illinois that killed 6

DIVERNON, Ill. (WICS) — Illinois State Police on Tuesday released the identity of one of six people killedina multi-car crash that shut down both lanes of Interstate 55 the previous day.

State police said Shirley Harper, of Franklin, Wis., was killed in the 72-car wreck.

It was a terrible terrible tragedy. It was a terrible day in this part of the state for the families that were affected by this," said Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly."

The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office said it is working diligently to identify the other five people and notify their families.

Authorities said two people remain unidentified and asked the public to help identify them.

They said witnesses, family members, or anyone who might know anything about the two should contact state police at 618-346-3653.

The remains of one of the unknown people were found in a blue Chrysler 300. Registration information of the vehicle is unknown at this time because of the condition of the vehicle.

Another unknown person was believed to have been in a Hyundai. The color and specifics of the Hyundai are unknown at this time.

The victims are both believed to be adults but police said the gender of the victims cannot be shared at this time.

State police also said a total of 37 people were taken to area hospitals, with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening, and ages span from 2 years old to 80 years old.

Authorities saidthey have been working to reunite families with the victims of the crash.

The Illinois Department of Transportation said the crash was caused by excessive winds, which blew dirt from farms across the highway.

The National Weather Service said visibility was less than a quarter mile to zero.

Blowing dust causing a multiple-car pile-up on I-55 between Divernon and Farmersville. Visibility less than a quarter of a mile. Visibility can become zero at times. If you encounter blowing dust on the roadway or see it approaching, pull off the road as far as possible," according to The National Weather Service.

State police said if drivers are in conditions like Monday's dust storm, slow down, try to get off the highway, and do not stop in the middle of the road.

State police said two truck-tractor semi-trailers caught on fire as a result of the crashes.The source of the explosions and fires has not been determined.

Authorities said there are no criminal charges processing.