Granite City, IL (May 21, 2026) – Two people were hurt in a three-vehicle crash on southbound Illinois 255 near Gateway Commerce Drive on Wednesday, May 20. The collision happened just after 3:30 p.m. and forced the closure of several lanes, with traffic diverted to Gateway Commerce Drive. All lanes reopened approximately one hour later.
Neither of the two people taken to area hospitals had life-threatening injuries. All vehicles involved were towed from the accident site.
The crash was the second significant incident on Illinois 255 that afternoon. Earlier, around 1:35 p.m., a semitrailer rolled over just south of Interstate 270, temporarily shutting down the southbound lanes before they reopened roughly 30 minutes prior to the later collision.
No names or additional details about those involved in the wreck were available at the time of publication. The cause remains under review, and further information will be released as it becomes known. We are thinking of those hurt as they continue to recover.
What Happens to Traffic When Multiple Crashes Close the Same Highway
When two serious crashes happen on the same stretch of highway within hours of each other, the effects on traffic can compound quickly. The first closure pushes vehicles onto alternate routes, which increases congestion and can slow emergency access. If a second crash then occurs before the road fully clears, responders may face additional delays reaching those who need help. Lane closures on interstates and major state highways tend to back up traffic for miles, particularly during afternoon hours when volume is already high. Vehicles being towed adds time to how long lanes stay blocked. In cases like this, drivers who are rerouted onto unfamiliar roads may also face elevated risk, especially if those roads are not designed to handle sudden surges in traffic flow.
