Developing: Four Dead in I-55 Crash Monday Afternoon

Four people are reported dead in a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 55 near Arsenal Road, according to State Police.  The chain-reaction crash in the northbound lanes may have begun when one semi-tractor truck pushed cars into another semi as they entered a construction zone near Elwood.

ABC 7 reports that all fatalities are female. The accident took place about 2:30 p.m. Speed may have been a factor, authorities said.

Northbound traffic is being rerouted onto River Road eastbound and then onto Route 53 northbound, reports ABC 7 Chicago. An alternate exit south of the crash is at exit 220, Route 47 northbound. Then motorists can travel north and enter I-80 eastbound and reenter I-55 northbound. 

A second crash, near Route 6 and Channahon, took place in the southbound lanes shortly after the first crash. This also involved semi trucks. I-55 southbound is backed up well north of Interstate 80. At 5 p.m. Channahon Police issued a Nixle alert to let people know the southbound lanes on I-55 are open. The northbound lanes remain closed south of Arsenal Road.

Authorities say more injury reports are expected as rescue workers extricate people from cars involved in the crashes. Three medical helicopters have airlifted victims to hospitals, according to NBC 5 Chicago.

This story will be updated as details emerge.