FRANKLIN COUNTY – Southbound I-57 was shut down for about an hour Friday afternoon due to a four-vehicle traffic crash that turned out to be two separate crashes in Franklin County.

Illinois State Police say both crashes happened around 4:06 p.m. at milepost 68 on southbound I-57 between Benton and West Frankfort.

The first crash involved a Chevy Silverado pickup and a Chevy Suburban. They were both going south on I-57 with the pickup behind the Suburban. The driver of the Suburban saw a vehicle in front of them which appeared to have struck a deer. The Suburban quickly began braking to avoid hitting the vehicle that struck the deer. The pickup was not able to stop in time and struck the rear of the Suburban. No injuries were reported.

The second crash involved a Chevy Traverse and a GMC Acadia. They were both driving on southbound I-57 in the left lane. The first crash happened in front of the Acadia. The Acadia began braking to avoid colliding with the vehicles in the first crash. The Traverse struck the rear of the Acadia. A passenger in the Traverse and the driver of the Acadia were taken to an area hospital with minor injuries.

Southbound I-57 reopened to traffic at 5:05 p.m.