Woman Who Crashed Into After-School Camp, Killing 4, May Have Had a Medical Emergency: Police
No charges have been filed against the driver, Marianne Akers, 44, of Chatham, Illinois, and she is not in custody, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said during a news conference on Thursday, May 1.
The investigation is ongoing.
"All evidence will be submitted to the Sangamon County State's Attorney for a determination of what charges, if any, are appropriate under the law," Kelly said.
Related: Girls Killed in Illinois After-School Camp Crash Remembered by Parents as 'Sweet, Silly' Daughters
The crash occurred around 3:20 p.m. on Monday, April 28, when the Jeep Wrangler Akers was driving "left the road for unknown reasons, traveled through a field and into the east side" of the YNOT (Youth Needing Other Things) Outdoors Summer Camp in Chatham, police said.
The vehicle traveled through the building striking numerous individuals before crashing through the other side, police added.
Killed in the crash were Rylee Britton, 18, of Springfield; Ainsley Johnson, 8, of Chatham; Alma Buhnerkempe, 7, of Chatham and Kathryn Corley, 7, of Chatham.
"It's just horrible, I don't know how else to describe it," Kelly said on May 1.
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Akers was taken to the hospital, where she provided blood and urine samples, and then was released, Kelly said. Initial toxicology results show she tested negative for alcohol or controlled substances, including benzodiazepines, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, cannabinoids and phencyclidine (PCP).
"Some evidence has been developed indicating the possibility of a medical emergency leading up to the crash, however, this investigation of this information and other evidence has not yet concluded and will continue," he said.
Kelly reiterated that there was, "no evidence that this was intended as some type of mass violence or terrorist attack."
Related: Teen, 18, Dancing on SUV Falls and Dies After Being Struck by Fire Truck: 'It's Tragic that She's Not Here'
Kelly would not comment on the condition of the other victims, or if they had been released from the hospital, saying it was at the request of the families.
However, the Chatham dance studio that Ainsley attended, Studio M Dance Centre, gave updates on some of those injured.
One of the girls, identified only as Emma, has "some bumps, bruises and stitches" but has been released from the hospital and is "staying positive," the dance center wrote in a Facebook post.
Another student named Mia remained at the hospital, but was on the road to recovery.
"She sustained two fractures in her pelvis, and a small skull fracture and laceration that required stitches," their post read. "Although she's not weight-bearing just yet, she's looking forward to the day she can wheel out of the hospital with her signature spirit and strength."
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