Visibility near zero during serious crash on I-88

There was near-zero visibility due to a dust storm when a van struck the back of a semitrailer on Interstate 88 near Kaneville Thursday afternoon, resulting in serious injuries, according to police.

Three semitrailers were slowing with traffic in the eastbound lanes of I-88 near Dauberman Road, but the van did not slow and struck the back of one of them, according to Illinois State Police.

The collision caused a chain reaction, sending the semitrailer into a second semi, which then struck a third at 3:41 p.m., police said.

A medical helicopter was called to the scene, as police shut down all lanes of traffic.

The driver of the van was seriously injured in the crash and was flown to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, said Illinois State Police Trooper Michelle Kistulinec. He remained in serious condition Friday.

The drivers of two of the semitrailers were also injured and were taken to an area hospital by ambulance, police said.

Illinois State Police said Friday two drivers have received citations for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Authorities have not yet released the names of the drivers cited nor the names of the injured drivers.

State police said they continue to investigate the crash.

Illinois State Police shut down both the east and westbound lanes of I-88 between Peace Road in DeKalb and Route 47 near Sugar Grove immediately after the crash.

The westbound lanes of the approximately 1- mile stretch of roadway reopened around 5:30 p.m., but the eastbound lanes were shut down until 6:30 p.m., police said.

Firefighters and paramedics from the Kaneville and the Elburn and Countryside fire protection districts responded to the crash scene.

A wind advisory was in effect for much of the afternoon, and the National Weather Service reported a dust storm with near-zero visibility in Maple Park near the scene of the crash.