The Highway Patrol has identified the three children who were killed in a crash on I-44 just west of Springfield Thursday afternoon.
Troopers say the three little girls were 6 year-old Julia Dobos, 7 year-old Angelina Dobos, and 8 year-old Olivia Dobos.
Investigators say the crash happened when the driver of the van was trying to go around a semi that started to merge on I-44.
There were six other people in that van that included the driver and five other children, ages 12 and under.
A fund has been set up to help the family.
(Originally reported at 3:26 p.m.)
The Highway Patrol says three children are dead after a crash near I-44 and Chestnut in Springfield.
Troopers say a tractor-trailer had been parked on the side of the road.
The crash happened when the driver of the van tried to avoid the semi as it merged onto I-44.
The kids, ages 6,7 and 8, were riding in the van when the crash happened.
Original Story:
Authorities are working a serious injury crash on westbound I-44 west of Springfield that shut down traffic.
The crash between a van and a semi happened around 2:30 p.m. near I-44 and Chestnut at the 73 mile marker.
Three kids were reportedly ejected from the van.
Westbound traffic on I-44 is backed up through Springfield.
Drivers headed westbound are encouraged to exit at Highway 65 and take James River (Highway 60) west to I-44 to get around the crash.
If you’re headed eastbound on I-44, you should get off at James River (exit 69) and do the same thing.
