By Todd Wineburner/WJEZ

The Illinois State Police at District 6 in Pontiac report that a rear-end collision was responsible for the traffic tie-up on Interstate 55 last night. (See photos below). According to the official report, last night at about 5:55 a Plymouth Breeze was headed north on Interstate 55 near mile marker 171 outside of Towanda when one of its tires blew out. The driver managed to keep control of the car, but was unable to get the vehicle completely out of the roadway. A Chevrolet Malibu then struck the Plymouth.Traffic was disrupted in the northbound lanes as emergency responders cleared the cars from the interstate and the median. Two occupants of the Plymouth Breeze were transported to OSF St. Joseph hospital in Bloomington. There is currently no word on their condition or the extent of their treatment.