MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ill — The Illinois State Police said the death toll of the dust storm crash on Interstate 55 Monday increased to seven.
According to a Tuesday evening update, the remains of a seventh person were discovered as the investigation continued.
"The severity of the crash masked the remains and what was previously believed to be the remains of one individual was two," a press release from ISP said.
Illinois State Police said that blowing dust from nearby caused "complete blackout conditions," resulting in a pileup just before 11 a.m.
Forty ISP troopers and multiple units from surrounding agencies responded. ISP said at least six people were killed and at least 72 cars were involved in the crash, though there may be more cars involved that were able to drive from the scene.
One of the victims killed in the crash was identified Monday as 88-year-old Shirley Harper of Franklin, Wisconsin. Tuesday morning, police said three victims had been tentatively identified, and two more people remained unidentified.
ISP is asking for the public's help in identifying those two victims and has released general information about their heavily-damaged vehicles.
Police did not say if they needed help identifying the seventh victim.
“I saw the storm from further ahead,” said Nathan Cormier.
The 44-year-old trucker down I-55 in Montgomery County, Illinois Monday in the middle of the powerful dust storm.
“The semi and the pickup trailer ahead of me started slowing down and the driver put their hazards on, so I put mine on,” recalled Cormier.
“The semi started braking. The truck in front of me went to right to avoid, so I then went to the left,” said Cormier.
Cormier was heading home to nearby Nilwood when he felt the whipping, 50 mile and hour winds and saw the non-stop, thick dust blowing around.
“When you first go into it, you can’t see it and then it clears up a little bit because you’re inside the storm and you can see 20, 25 feet in front of you. It was crazy,” Cormier told 5 On Your Side’s Robert Townsend.
The concerned trucker saw several drivers sitting in their cars in the blinding dust and he immediately ran to help.
“I just got out of my car, started running up to cars, making sure people were okay. Once the emergency responders got there, I pointed them to those drivers,” said Cormier.
“Holy cow those vehicles really hit hard,” said neighbor, Jeff Mackay.
Mackay is baffled by the dozens of damaged vehicles and saddened by the dust-related disaster that claimed innocent lives.
“Can’t say anything. Just pray for them. That’s all we can do,” said McKay.
“I’ve been in small dust storms before, but I’ve never seen on that big,” said Nathan Cormier.
In the Tuesday evening update, ISP said many of the vehicles stranded on the highway will be available for pickup starting Wednesday at 8 a.m.
Southbound drivers should call 217-685-4354 to arrange pickup for their vehicles, and northbound drivers should call 618-346-3653.
"People retrieving vehicles must provide their driver’s license and insurance to the ISP Command Vehicle located at the intersection of Brown and Henrietta in Divernon," the release said. "An officer will ask basic questions such as, who was in the vehicle, your phone number, and insurance card information. Adjustors and/or private reconstruction are not allowed to gain access to the vehicles until tomorrow, May 3, 2023 after they are processed."