Fifth child dies in Chatham after-school tragedy
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The death toll of the car crash at a Chatham after-school program is up to five following the passing of an eight-year-old boy on Monday.
Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon announced in a news release that Bradley Lund of Springfield passed away after sustaining blunt force injuries in the crash at the YNOT Outdoors program on April 28. Lund had been admitted as a patient at HSHS St. John's Hospital following the crash, and he was still receiving treatment there when he died at 5:52 a.m. on Monday.
State Police provide updates on Chatham after-school tragedy
The crash also claimed the lives of four girls between the ages of 7 and 18:
7-year-old Kathryn Corley of Chatham
7-year-old Alma Buhnerkempe of Chatham
8-year-old Ainsley Johnson of Chatham
18-year-old Rylee Britton of Springfield
Another six children were hospitalized, including Lund.
The Illinois State Police concluded its investigation into the crash last week and the Sangamon County State's Attorney's Office began a review to decide on whether charges are warranted against the driver who crashed into YNOT Outdoors' building. In a brief statement to WCIA, State's Attorney John Milhiser said:
The tragedy in Chatham is heartbreaking. The Sangamon County State's Attorney's office continues to work with the Illinois State Police on the investigation.
John Milhiser
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania State Police rescue injured otter in Franklin County
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) – Pennsylvania State Police made an unusual rescue recently — a river otter. Troopers from the Chambersburg barracks responded to reports of an otter in distress, according to a release from State Police. When they arrived, they found an injured otter. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Troopers turned the injured otter over to the game commission, which took it to a wildlife rehabilitation center. Officially known as the North American river otter, these semiaquatic mammals are native to nearly all of Pennsylvania. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, they are found in every major river system in the state . In 2023, otters returned to Presque Isle State Park in Erie County for the first time in years, according to our affiliate WJET. An otter's primary food source consists of fresh water fish, which they hunt using their keen sense of hearing and tactile whiskers. Nearly 400 ivory items from elephants, other species found on sale across Pennsylvania Pollution can pose a threat to river otters' survival. At one point its population declined by 75%, according to the game commission. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Potomac gives Make-A-Wish teen a taste of the islands
POTOMAC, Ill. (WCIA) — One Vermillion County village is banding together, giving a Make-A-Wish recipient a sendoff for her dream vacation. And, they brought the beach theme from more than 4,000 miles away. It was a rainy day in Central Illinois, but you could still find a slice of the island life in Potomac. The village's grade school hosted a sendoff for Aleyah Carley, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2022. DACC extends contract of interim President amidst search for permanent candidate 'I was scared, anxious, all that because I was going to be gone from my family for a while,' Carley said. 'We weren't really sure what all of it meant.' What followed was more than a year of traveling, treatment and trials. 'It's very exhausting,' said Aleyah's mother, Theresa Carley, 'It's, you know, a lot of sleepless nights wondering what the next day's going to bring.' After a few rounds of chemo and a bone marrow transplant, Aleyah is feeling better. But one social worker gave her a suggestion to give the 16-year-old an extra boost. They suggested applying for the Make-A-Wish program, which the family did in 2023. And last year, she learned that her wish would be granted. 'I was very excited,' Aleyah said. 'It's kind of like a shock … I was like, 'Wow, this is really happening.'' Vermilion Advantage gets grant to create jobs, improve economy In just a few days, Aleyah is going to get to take the trip of a lifetime. But for now, she gets a little taste of the island life. 'I chose Hawaii because I feel like that's like a once in a lifetime type thing that I want to be able to do again,' Aleyah said. The Carley's will be heading to Oahu this Sunday, but her Make-A-Wish sponsors wanted to celebrate with her at home as well. 'Our community has done so much for us over the past couple of years and supported us and encouraged us,' Theresa said. 'And now that we're in a really good spot, we really want to celebrate with them.' Aleyah said her and her family plan visit the Pearl Harbor Museum and explore the island, but what she's most looking forward to is relaxing and resetting after fighting the disease. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘His memory will live in every round that we fight': Champaign boxing gym remembers teen killed in car vs. train accident
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — After a weekend tragedy, many are still coming to terms with the death of three Effingham County teenagers and one 21-year-old. Among the victims was 18-year-old Cruz Watts. Watts died this past weekend in Sigel after their car was hit by a train. Now, one of his friends is opening up about the situation and who Watts was. ORIGNAL STORY: State Police name victims, release new info in Shelby Co. car vs. train crash WCIA's Jack Krumm sat down with his boxing teammate of three years, Demi Ramirez. They shared the same love for the sport and the same gym in Champaign. The Effingham native was just a couple weeks away from his 19th birthday when his life was cut short on Sunday. Ramirez said the loss is as unimaginable as it is tragic. 'It hurts a lot. It hurts. And it's something that will probably hurt for a while,' Ramirez said. A peaceful Sunday morning turned tragic in Effingham. 18-year old Cruz Watts of Effingham — along with three others — died after a car collided with a train in Siegel. 'You develop sort of a relationship with people that you see every single day, and Cruz was someone who is in the gym every single day,' Ramirez added. She was his friend and boxing teammate for three years at Luyando Boxing in Champaign. 'He brought back a sort of spark to the gym — a sort of fight to the gym that we had been missing for a little bit,' Ramirez said. Watts would get to the gym by any means necessary, even if it meant early mornings on the rails. Potomac gives Make-A-Wish teen a taste of the islands 'When he first came to us, he would take the train from Effingham at 4 a.m. to come to our classes that start at 6 a.m., and he would stay until the end of the day 5 p.m. working out, talking to coaches, just just trying to learn,' Ramirez said. She said his legacy to others is forever one of a fighter.. '[He was the] Golden Gloves champion back a couple of years ago, had won multiple bouts since that championship. He was on the road to greatness; we all saw it,' Ramirez said. 'I think his legacy of working hard, always showing up, never letting excuses or anything get in the way. Always training, always trying to be better.' says Ramirez And to those who knew him at Luyando's gym, Watts made a standard to live up to. 'His memory will live in every round that we fight, every punch that we throw. We will be thinking of him,' Ramirez added. Ramirez says there's a service happening for Watts on Thursday in Effingham. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.