Several Injured After 5-Vehicle Crash On I-80: Police

NEW LENOX, IL — Five vehicles were involved in a crash on I-80 on Wednesday and several people were injured, Illinois State Police said. All westbound lanes on I-80 were closed after the crash at 4:24 p.m. near milepost 141, east of I-355.

According to police, three commercial motor vehicles and two cars were involved in the crash. The drivers of vehicle 1 and vehicle 2 were driving in the center lane, while vehicles 3, 4 and 5 were in the left lane. Vehicles 2, 3, 4 and 5 slowed for traffic ahead, when unit 1 failed to stop.

Police said the front end of vehicle 1 struck the rear end of unit 2. The two units veered to the left and hit vehicle 3, and the impact caused vehicle 1 to become fully engulfed with fire and vehicle 2 rolled over. Vehicle 3 also struck vehicle 4, which hit vehicle 5.

The driver of vehicle 1 was taken to a local area hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said. The drivers of vehicles 2, 3, 4 and 5 were also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.