ILLINOIS — Multiple crashes, including at least one fatal accident, have forced the closure of portions of Interstate 57 in Coles County on Saturday morning, according to Illinois State Police and local officials.
Illinois State Police said emergency vehicles were positioned along I-57 southbound, with traffic being detoured at Exit 203, the Arcola exit. Authorities said the southbound lanes of I-57 are expected to remain closed for several hours.
State police reported responding to at least nine separate crashes on I-57 in Coles County, including one fatal crash. Lanes were reported to be blocked in both directions of the interstate.
At about 9:43 a.m., the Coles County Sheriff’s Office said deputies were assisting with multiple accidents and slide-offs between mile markers 190 and 192. Traffic was backing up in both directions, and the Illinois Department of Transportation reported that all northbound lanes of I-57 were blocked in that area.
Illinois State Police Troop 7 said troopers responded around 9:50 a.m. to a report of a fatal traffic crash on I-57 southbound near milepost 203. Southbound traffic was shut down at that location, with vehicles being rerouted off the interstate at Exit 203. No additional details about the fatal crash were immediately available.
IDOT also confirmed that state police advised of a minimum of nine crashes between mile markers 190 and 191 on I-57 southbound.
Both Illinois State Police and the Coles County Sheriff’s Office are urging drivers to avoid the area and use alternate routes as crews continue to respond to the crashes and clear the roadway.
