Police release more names of victims killed in dust storm crashes on Interstate 55

Mike Koziatek
·2 min read
9

All but one of the seven people killed in crashes during a dust storm on Interstate 55 Monday have been identified, Illinois State Police said Saturday.

The agency “is working closely with the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office to confirm the identification of the final remaining victim.”

The identification of Shirley Harper, 88, of Franklin, Wisconsin, was previously released.

Here are the names of five victims identified Saturday:

  • Joseph Bates, 73, Crystal Lake, Illinois

  • Donna Bates, 71, Crystal Lake, Illinois

  • Earl LeGrand, 64, Florissant, Missouri

  • Michael Zinchuk, 55, Champaign, Illinois

  • Amy Zinchuk, 54, Champaign, Illinois

There were 72 vehicles involved in the fiery crashes and 37 people were injured with injuries ranging from minor to critical.

Drivers encountered “brown out” conditions during the dust storm when high winds blew topsoil from farm fields. The crashes occurred on I-55 near Milepost 76 near Farmersville in Montgomery County.

Police initially said six persons died in the crashes but the death toll was later increased to seven.

Crash victims

A celebration of life gathering has been scheduled for LeGrand at 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Rockwell Beer Co. at 1320 S. Vandeventer Ave. in St. Louis.

Michael and Amy Zinchuk were married for over 30 years, according to their obituary and a service had been scheduled for them on Saturday.

Amy Zinchuk was known for “her passion for music and teaching piano.

“She passed on her personal brand of music to anyone she would meet, especially her children, and lived her life with the strong belief that dancing is appropriate in nearly every environment,” the obituary stated.

Michael Zinchuk was remembered for being “fierce in standing up for his family and himself, but was always willing to help a neighbor or offer help without thought of himself.

Their survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth Zinchuk Stultz of Valley Park, Missouri, and two sons, Ethan Zinchuk and Matthew Zinchuk, both of Champaign.