I-55 Fatal, Chain Reaction Crash Kills Woman, 53: Coroner

BRACEVILLE, IL — Friday night's shutdown of Interstate 55 in both directions through Grundy County happened as a result of a chain reaction fatality that took the life of a 53-year-old woman from downstate in Bloomington.

Grundy County Coroner John Callahan, along with Illinois State Police, are investigating a traffic crash from around 8:45 pm on I-55 milepost 231, which is near Braceville Road.

Callahan said there was an earlier crash and fire involving multiple semis in the northbound lanes of I-55 mile post 231.

While the first crash was being investigated by ISP and various fire departments, over in the southbound lane there was a chain reaction collision involving three vehicles.

"Preliminary investigation indicates traffic had slowed down in the area and a vehicle driven by 53-year-old Dawn M. Hall of Bloomington was struck from behind and pushed into another vehicle in front of her," Callahan announced.

Hall was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:50 p.m.

It is believed that the Hall vehicle was struck from behind by a semi tractor trailer, Callahan pointed out. Friday night's crash remains under investigation by Callahan’s Office and the Illinois State Police. An examination is scheduled for later today. Several area fire departments were involved in the operations at the scene.