UPDATE: 05/02/25: The driver whose vehicle crashed through a Chatham after-school care center on Monday, killing four people, tested negative for alcohol and controlled substances, according to Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly.
During a Thursday afternoon update, Kelly said the driver, 44-year-old Marianne Akers, of Chatham, may have suffered a medical emergency, but further investigation is needed. Akers has not been charged and is not in custody.
Kelly said the investigation also includes a check of the accident vehicle’s computer and its path, which traveled off Walnut Street more than 13-hundred feet through a field and the building.
Akers’ attorney, W. Scott Hanken, told Newschannel 20 that Akers suffered a seizure while driving home from work. Hanken said Akers had no history of a seizure disorder and is not on impairing medication; he also noted that Akers does not recall the crash, is cooperating fully with police, and is devastated.
UPDATE: 04/29/25 14:25: BCSD released a statement on their X account regarding the tragedy of April 28, which can be found here and at the bottom of the page.
They also announced a short-term schedule as it concerns school going forward: E-learning will continue through Thursday, May 1, and back-to-school learning will begin again on Friday; athletics and extracurricular activities are slated to be canceled through Thursday as well.
Extra counselors, therapists, social workers, therapy dogs, and other support personnel will be available for the children on Friday, May 2 as well.
UPDATE: 04/29/25 11:35: Chatham Police Deputy Chief Scott Tarter said first responders were called at about 3:20 pm to the YNOT Outdoors After School Camp on Breckenridge Road just north of Walnut Street.
Tarter said the vehicle crashed into the east side of the building, entering the structure and exiting through the west wall. He noted that three of those killed were struck before the vehicle entered the building, and the remaining person killed was struck inside. Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon said the victims were pronounced dead at the scene and identified them as 8-year-old Ainsley Johnson of Chatham, 18-year-old Rylee Britton of Springfield, 7-year-old Kathryn Corley of Chatham, and 7-year-old Alma Buhnerkempe of Chatham.
Meanwhile, Illinois State Police said six students were taken by ambulance to area hospitals, with one student in critical condition. State police identified the driver as 44-year-old Marianne Akers of Chatham, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was not injured.
She was taken to an area hospital for evaluation. State police said she is not in custody as the investigation continues.
WMAY will have more on the story as more information becomes available.
UPDATE: 04/29/25 10:20: As per WCIA reporting, further details are emerging from the vehicle accident that took four lives thus farm with an Illinois State Police investigation still ongoing. State Police said the driver of the fatal crash at an after-school program Monday afternoon is a 44-year-old Chatham woman; she is not in custody, officials added, as the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Update: 04/28/25 21:05: It was announced on Monday evening that due to the tragedy at the YNOT Outdoors After School Camp on April 28, all schools would be e-learning on April 29; all extracurricular activities for Tuesday are also cancelled.
Four people are dead after a vehicle crashed through an after-school center in Chatham on Monday afternoon.
Chatham Police Deputy Chief Scott Tarter said first responders were called at about 3:20 pm to the YNOT Outdoors After School Camp on Breckenridge Road just north of Walnut Street.
Tarter said the vehicle crashed into the east side of the building, entering the structure and exiting through the west wall. He also noted that three of those killed were struck before the vehicle entered the building, and the remaining person killed was struck inside.
Several other people were taken by ambulance to area hospitals while one person was flown for treatment.
Tarter said the driver was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was not injured; the driver was taken to an area hospital.
Details of the victims have not been released.
Chatham Baptist Church has been established as a family reunification center.
Walnut Street is closed from Park Street to Gordon Drive as the investigation continues.
BCSD Statement 04/29/25 after the April 28 tragedy in Chatham. (Credit: X, formerly Twitter)
BCSD Statement 04/29/25 after the April 28 tragedy in Chatham. (Credit: X, formerly Twitter)
