MANTENO, Kankakee County, Ill., Sept. 29, 2026 — Two people were hurt on Monday afternoon, September 28, in a four-vehicle crash on Interstate 57 near Manteno, according to Illinois State Police.
The crash happened around 5 p.m. in the northbound lanes near mile marker 320. Four vehicles were involved, though troopers have not said how the collision unfolded.
Two people were taken to a hospital, though their conditions have not been released. It is not yet known whether they were drivers or passengers, or whether they were riding in the same vehicle.
The right lane of northbound I-57 was shut down for about an hour while crews cleared the scene, state police said. No citations have been announced, and the crash remains under investigation.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, and we wish them a full recovery.
A Common Misconception About Multi-Vehicle Pileups on the Highway
Many drivers assume that chain-reaction crashes happen mainly because someone was speeding or driving recklessly. In reality, most pileups start with something more ordinary: a sudden slowdown, a lane change, or a stalled vehicle that the driver behind does not see in time. The initial contact is often minor. What turns it into a multi-vehicle crash is the traffic packed in behind it.
Following distance, not raw speed, is usually the bigger factor. On interstates like I-57, vehicles often travel close together at highway speed, leaving little room to react if the car ahead brakes hard. Once one driver stops short, each vehicle behind has less time and space to respond than the one in front of it.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 28,595 large-truck occupants were injured in multi-vehicle crashes involving large trucks in 2023. That figure reflects how often a single collision on a busy highway can draw in more vehicles and more people than the crash that started it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do chain-reaction crashes happen?
They usually start with one vehicle slowing, stopping, or losing control, then spread as following vehicles run out of room or time to stop safely behind it.
How can drivers avoid getting caught in a pileup?
Leaving extra space between vehicles and watching traffic several cars ahead, not just the car directly in front, gives drivers more time to react if something goes wrong up the road.
What should I do if I'm stopped near a crash on the highway?
Turn on hazard lights, stay in the vehicle if it's safe to do so, and move as far onto the shoulder as possible to reduce the chance of being struck by other traffic.
How does fog or low visibility contribute to pileups?
Reduced visibility shortens the distance drivers have to spot trouble ahead, which can turn a single slowdown into a chain of collisions before drivers further back even see brake lights.
What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Crash in Manteno, IL
If you're involved in a multi-vehicle crash, try to move to a safe spot away from traffic if your vehicle is drivable, and check on others nearby. Call 911 even if injuries seem minor, since some symptoms don't show up right away. Getting checked by a medical provider afterward, even for a crash that felt minor, can catch injuries before they become bigger problems. Keep any paperwork from police and medical visits, and follow up with your insurance company once you've had time to process what happened.
