Multiple pileups near the Illinois-Wisconsin border Friday, including one involving up to 70 vehicles, shut down several major highways ahead of the followingnoon rush hour and as bands of snow plowed through the area.
Illinois State Police said a crash was reported around 1:45 p.m. on westbound Interstate 94 at Russell Road, involving between 15 and 70 cars.
The Wisconsin State Patrol alerted the police department to the crash just across the Illinois-Wisconsin border, which ultimately shut down the interstate.
Traffic was swerving off the road on both Route 173 and Russell Road, according to the Illinois State Police, who said they were assisting in the accident.
Another accident occurred around 2 p.m., shutting down both directions of I-39/90 in Rock County between Beloit and Janesville.
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reported the crash involved multiple vehicles and advised motorists to avoid the area while first responders worked to assist drivers and investigate the crash.
Authorities told NBC affiliate WREX that “up to 50 vehicles” were involved and authorities said between 20 and 50 cars were involved.
The Rock County Sheriff’s Office said there are multiple ambulance transports at the scene, but the exact number and extent of those injured were unclear as of Friday followingnoon.
The cause of the crashes is still unclear, but both occurred as brief, but “heavy” snow showers that moved through the area, reducing visibility and making travel hazardous.
