Authorities are now saying approximately 40 vehicles were involved in multiple crashes on Interstate 90 Wednesday evening that closed part of the highway.
According to the Lake County Sheriff's Office, the nearly 15 semi trucks that were involved in the crashes made them difficult to clean up.
Photos from the Interstate 90 accident
Posted by Lake County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Seventeen people were injured in the crashes—three of them seriously.
Lake County Sheriff Daniel Dunlap told newsnet5.com one person was ejected and ended up in another vehicle. They don't believe that person was wearing a seatbelt.
Authorities don't know if they'll be able to determine the cause of the crash, since so many vehicles were involved.
The speed limit on the roadway, which Sheriff Dunlap called a "tough stretch of highway," was increased to 70 mph two years ago. Officials may now investigate whether there is a need for more signage to warn drivers of squalls in winter weather.
Sheriff Dunlap told newsnet5.com that he believes up to $1 million will be spent on cleaning up the mess from Wednesday. That includes the services of first responders, damage to vehicles involved and hospital costs.
