Deadly Dust Storm in Central Illinois Causes Multiple Fatalities and Injuries

May 02, 2023

Illinois experienced a tragic incident on Monday when a rare dust storm caused a massive pile-up on Interstate 55. The dust storm limited visibility for farmers and motorists, leading to a pile-up of over 60 vehicles, causing more than 30 injuries, and resulting in six fatalities.

According to the Illinois State Police, the dust storm was caused by winds blowing freshly worked soil from nearby fields, leading to "zero visibility" conditions in the area. The dust storm was so severe that it led to two tractor-trailers and other vehicles catching fire, further limiting visibility due to the smoke.

The accident occurred near Farmersville, a rural section of Illinois, south of Springfield and west of Indianapolis. The crashes involved both passenger cars and commercial vehicles on a two-mile stretch of the highway, causing the highway to be closed in both directions.

The incident highlights the dangers of extreme weather conditions, particularly for drivers on highways. While planting season in central Illinois is usually associated with high winds and dust storms, the severity of the Monday incident underscores the need for drivers to exercise caution during such weather conditions to prevent similar accidents in the future.

Video: How Can We Grow More Food With Less Impact?

For over two decades, Dr. Mitloehner has been at the forefront of research on how animal agriculture affects our air and our climate. With deep expertise in emissions and volatile organic compounds, his work initially focused on air quality in regions like California’s Central Valley—home to both the nation’s richest agricultural output and some of its poorest air quality.

In recent years, methane has taken center stage in climate discourse—not just scientifically, but politically. Once a topic reserved for technical discussions about manure management and feed efficiency, it has become a flashpoint in debates over sustainability, regulation, and even the legitimacy of livestock farming itself.

Dr. Frank Mitloehner, Professor and Air Quality Specialist with the CLEAR Center sits down with Associate Director for Communications at the CLEAR Center, Joe Proudman.