Several crashes involving cars and tractor-trailers on I-55 cause long delays and at least two injuries requiring transport to hospital in Grundy County.

Three separate crashes involving seven vehicles on a one-mile stretch of I-55 closed northbound lanes of the expressway for about two-and-a-half hours during the morning rush Monday near southwest suburban Channahon.

Traffic was diverted from northbound lanes of I-55 between Bluff Road and U.S. 6 about 8:15 a.m. while police worked to clear three separate crashes that caused "several" injuries around 7:45 a.m.

No one died in any of the crashes, but at least two people were injured, police said. The left lane of the expressway was reopened about 10:15 a.m.

Based on preliminary information, the first crash started at I-55 northbound south of Route 6 and involved two passenger vehicles. About 1,000 feet south, two additional passenger vehicles collided. The third crash, about a quarter of a mile farther south, involved two semi-trucks and an SUV. One semi-truck struck the rear of the SUV that veered into a ditch. The same semi-truck struck another semi that was stopped.

A helicopter at one point sat near Bluff Road awaiting the extrication of the driver of one of the semis involved. The cab of that truck appeared nearly destroyed. Police say the driver was eventually airlifted to a hospital.