Illinois School Bus Crash: I-74 Accident Kills 2, Caused By Truck Collision

UPDATE: 2.15 a.m. EST - Illinois State Police confirmed the semi-truck driver, a 34-year-old male from Iowa, also died in the accident. The name of the victim was not released.

Trooper Tracy Lillard said the other person killed in the crash was Charles Crabtree, 72, a volunteer with the basketball team. Two other adults on the bus were seriously injured and flown to Peoria.

"Our hearts go out to the students and players, coaches and teachers, family and friends, and all those in the Normal West family and Unit 5 community. Please join us in sending positive thoughts and prayers on behalf of the Wildcats tonight," the Unit Five Education Association teachers' union said in a tweet.

UPDATE: 12.30 a.m. EST - McLean County School District said there were 11 people on the bus. All the students sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to local hospitals. Three adults accompanying the students were severely injured, with one in critical condition. Multiple agencies are on the scene and the I-74 will be closed for several hours.

The players were coming back from a game in Champaign, Illinois.

Original story:

At least one person is reported dead and several injured after a school bus with a girls' basketball team aboard involved in a crash on I-74 in Illinois on Wednesday.

The bus was carrying the Normal Community West High School freshman girls basketball team when it collided with a semi-truck. Police said the truck was driving the wrong way and crashed into the bus head-on.

"Currently the crash remains an open and ongoing investigation," Illinois State Police said.

I-74 near Downs is closed as a result. The Illinois Department of Transportation called it a "major traffic incident" and said significant delays can be expected on I-74.

“Parents of players should come to the school. Staff is on hand at the school to help support students and parents. Please keep our Normal West family in your thoughts,” McLean County Unit 5 said.

Multiple victims have been transported to nearby hospitals by helicopter and ambulances.

This is a developing story.