Overview
- Illinois State Police reported a multi-vehicle crash with fatalities around 9:50 a.m. Saturday near milepost 193 on I-57 in Coles County.
- All southbound lanes were closed for more than six hours with traffic routed off at Exit 203, and police said at 4 p.m. the closure would last for several more hours.
- The Illinois Department of Transportation tallied at least nine crashes on I-57 between Mattoon and Tuscola during the storm.
- The National Weather Service warned of reduced visibility and snow-covered roads and noted road treatments can be less effective in very cold temperatures.
- IDOT traffic cameras did not capture the collisions but showed snow- and ice-covered pavement, and authorities released no further details as the investigation continued.