One dead in fiery interstate crash

Northbound Interstate 55 south of Lorenzo Road in Wilmington is closed until further notice while the Illinois State Police investigates a five-vehicle crash that killed one driver and seriously injured another.

The crash occurred at milepost 239.5 on Thursday, July 25, at approximately 5 p.m.

According to the ISP's preliminary investigations, a truck tractor semi-trailer was northbound on I-55 south of Lorenzo Road prior to entering the construction zone at the northbound bridge over Grant Creek and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks just north on North River Road.

Traffic was backed up south of the construction zone and the truck driver failed to stop before striking the rear of a pick-up truck. This caused a chain reaction into A second truck tractor semi-trailer and two passenger vehicles. Both trucks and the first of the passenger vehicles struck became engulfed in flames.

The driver of the semi truck who caused the crash was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver has not yet been identified. The driver of the pick-up truck was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The names of the other drivers are not being released at this time.

All northbound lanes will be shut down until further notice. There are no other injuries reported As of 8 p.m., and no known passengers in any of the vehicles.