Authorities say grass fire led to 10-car Interstate 39 crash seriously injured 3, including Ottawa woman

Authorities said the smoke from a grass fire along Interstate 39 caused visibility issues, leading to a 10-vehicle crash at milepost 40 in Marshall County between the Wenona and Lostant exits that shut down the interstate for about six hours Saturday.

According to the Illinois State Police’s preliminary investigation, as the vehicles entered the smoke, they began to slow down causing a chain reaction crash at about 2:22 p.m. Saturday.

The occupants of vehicle 1 and 2 were Life Flighted to a local area hospital with serious injuries. The occupants of vehicles 3-6 were transported to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

In total, there were 14 drivers and passengers involved in the crash.

Drivers Scott A. Lins, 56, of Avoca, Wis., was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries; Jackie M. Rhodes, 32, of Ottawa, was taken to a local area hospital with serious injuries; Brad J. Butler, 47, of Walnut, was taken to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries; Kristi N. Redman-Clapp, 42, of Woodberry, Minn. was taken to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries; Ruth R. Halbach, 72, of Troy, Texas, was taken to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries; Debra K. Ferguson, 69, of Bloomington, was taken to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries; while Robert R. Raddenbach, 64, of Spooner, Wis.; Spencer R. DeWitt, 25, of Columbus, Wis.; Amy R. Schwetter, 43, of Malta; and Curtis L. Payton, 54, of South Beloit, had no injuries reported.

Passengers Carmen R. Lins, 44, of Avoca, Wis. was taken to a local area hospital with serious injuries; Jennifer L. Butler, 41, of Walnut, was taken to a local area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries; while Hannah R. Best, 27, of Columbus, Wis.; and Kristi Martin-Payton, 54, of South Beloit, had no injuries reported.

At about 2:22 p.m. Interstate 39 southbound was re-opened at approximately 8:10 p.m. Interstate 39 northbound was re-opened at 8:45 p.m.

Illinois State Police still are investigating the crash.