Rochelle couple killed, others injured in 5-car pileup on I-88 in DeKalb County

A married couple from Rochelle was killed and multiple others were injured Tuesday in a five-car pileup on Interstate 88 in DeKalb County when a box truck crashed into another car, prompting further collisions, authorities said.

A husband and wife in the same car were pronounced dead by authorities after the crash, DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller said Wednesday morning. Authorities had not identified them or anyone else involved as of Wednesday afternoon. Miller said he’s working with Illinois State Police, as the crash remains under investigation.

All eastbound lanes on I-88 were temporarily closed for hours Tuesday.

The multiple-vehicle crash was reported at 5:19 p.m. Tuesday on eastbound I-88, east of Hinckley Road near mile marker No. 99 in Cortland, according to information provided by Illinois State Police.

No citations or arrests have been announced.

The pileup occurred only hours after another crash involving a semitrailer truck on eastbound I-88 earlier Tuesday, Illinois State Police said.

Traffic already was slowed come rush hour Tuesday evening because of cleanup from the first crash, authorities said.

The driver of a box truck did not stop in time to accommodate the slowed traffic and struck another vehicle, setting off a chain reaction, state police said a preliminary investigation revealed. The second vehicle struck a third, which struck a fourth that struck a fifth vehicle, causing a significant pileup.

One of the drivers was flown to a nearby hospital with injuries. Another reported minor injuries. The only vehicle in which its occupants did not report injuries was the box truck, Illinois State Police clarified Wednesday.

This story was updated at 11:30 a.m. July 17, 2024. Check back for additional updates.