MADISON COUNTY — Two people are dead and a dozen others injured stemming from an eight-vehicle crash around 6:14 p.m. Tuesday night on Interstate 55 in Madison County.

Illinois State Police say the driver of a truck-tractor semi-trailer was traveling southbound on I-55 at milepost 27.5 when according to witnesses the driver of the truck struck seven vehicles at highway speed, fatally injuring the driver and passenger of one vehicle.

A total of 12 people were injured and transported to multiple area hospitals. Two of those injured suffered life-threatening injuries.

The crash remains under investigation and the names of those involved are being withheld pending the notifications of families.

All southbound lanes remained closed well after midnight.