‘Multiple fatalities’ after windstorm causes crashes

Winds at the time were gusting between 35mph and 45mph, the National Weather Service said.

Smoke billows after a crash involving many vehicles shut down a motorway in Illinois (WICS TV via AP)

A windstorm in the US state of Illinois kicked up dangerous clouds of dust off farm fields, blinding drivers and causing numerous crashes and “multiple fatalities” on Interstate 55, police said.

The late-morning crashes involved 40 to 60 cars and multiple tractor-trailers, two of which caught fire, Illinois State Police Major Ryan Starrick said.