Executive Summary
- A 14-year-old girl from Chicago died in a multi-vehicle crash on I-55.
- The incident occurred southbound near Springfield at milepost 98.
- Illinois State Police closed the highway for over eight hours for investigation.
- Traffic was rerouted at Exit 100 until the road reopened at 7:10 p.m.
A 14-year-old girl from Chicago was killed in a multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 55 near Springfield, Illinois, on Saturday morning, resulting in a highway closure that lasted more than eight hours.
According to Illinois State Police Troop 6, the crash occurred at approximately 10:38 a.m. on December 13, 2025, in the southbound lanes near milepost 98, close to the Interstate 72 interchange in Sangamon County. Authorities indicated that the incident involved multiple vehicles, necessitating an extensive emergency response.
Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon confirmed that the 14-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Following the collision, law enforcement closed the southbound lanes of I-55 to conduct a crash reconstruction and clear the wreckage. Traffic was rerouted at Exit 100 while crews worked in the area. The Illinois State Police reported that the highway was reopened to motorists at approximately 7:10 p.m.
Investigative Outlook
The investigation into the cause of the fatal crash remains ongoing, with Illinois State Police reconstruction teams tasked with analyzing physical evidence and vehicle data. While the roadway has reopened, the final determination regarding the factors contributing to the multi-vehicle pileup—such as potential mechanical issues, driver behavior, or environmental conditions—is pending the completion of the official inquiry. No charges have been announced at this time.
