4 Girls Killed After Vehicle Crashes Into After-School Camp in Illinois

What Happened

A vehicle crashed into a building used by the YNOT After School Camp in Chatham, Illinois, on Monday afternoon, killing four female students and injuring several others. Authorities say the crash occurred around 3:20 p.m.

The Victims

The four victims were girls between the ages of 4 and 18.
Three of them were outside the building, and one was inside at the time of the crash.
They were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon.
Officials have not publicly identified the victims, pending notification of their families.

Driver Information

The vehicle was driven by 44-year-old Chatham resident Marianne Akers.
She was the only person in the car and was not physically hurt.
Akers has been hospitalized but not arrested.
State police say early findings do not suggest the crash was intentional.
Toxicology tests have been completed on Akers, but the results are still pending.

Injuries and Damage

Several other people were hurt in the crash.
One injured person was airlifted to a hospital.
The car entered the building from the east side and exited through the west wall.

Community Response

Chatham police called the crash a “terrible tragedy.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said he was “horrified” and offered support to the affected families.
"Parents said goodbye to their kids this morning, not knowing it would be the last time,” he said on X.

School Response

The Ball-Chatham School District canceled in-person classes on Tuesday.
An e-learning day was declared so students and staff could focus on emotional recovery.

About the Location

Chatham is a village with a population of over 14,000.
The YNOT After School Camp building is near a city water tower and a park.
The camp was started by a Springfield couple in 2002 to help keep children active and learning during summer.

What’s Next?

The investigation into the crash is ongoing.
Autopsies of the victims were expected to begin on Tuesday.
Police have not yet shared more details about what caused the crash.

The Big Picture

This tragic incident has shaken the Chatham community. Local leaders, educators, and families are mourning the loss of four young lives, while police continue to look into the cause of the crash.