Four girls, all students between the ages of 4 and 18, tragically lost their lives Monday afternoon when a vehicle slammed into the YNOT After School Camp building in Chatham, Illinois. Authorities confirmed their identities Tuesday as Rylee Britton (18), Ainsley Johnson (8), Alma Buhnerkempe (7), and Kathryn Corley (7). Three of the girls were outside the facility when the crash occurred around 3:20 p.m., while one was inside.
The driver, identified as 44-year-old Marianne Akers of Chatham, was the sole occupant of the vehicle. While she was hospitalized, officials say she was not seriously injured and remains out of custody pending toxicology results. Police have not yet determined a motive, but they do not suspect the crash was intentional.
Six others were injured in the incident, including one individual airlifted to a hospital. Five children were admitted to a local pediatric unit. The impact of the crash caused the car to fully enter the building, bursting through its west wall.
The community is reeling from the loss. Officials canceled in-person learning Tuesday and declared an e-learning day to focus on students’ emotional wellbeing. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the event “horrifying” and expressed support for the grieving families.
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