Group of 7-Year-Olds and Teen Killed When Driver Accidentally Crashes Into After-School Camp: Authorities
The four victims killed after a vehicle crashed into an after-school camp have been identified by authorities who say they do not believe the incident was intentional.
The Sangamon County Coroner's Office said in a statement that the victims who died in the Monday, April 28, wreck in Chatham were Kathryn Corley, 7; Alma Buhnerkempe, 7; Ainsley Johnson, 8; and 18-year-old Rylee Britton.
All four were pronounced dead at the scene.
"Postmortem procedures done today indicate that they all died from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the incident," the coroner's office said. The deaths remain under investigation by the Sangamon County Coroner, the Illinois State Police and the Chatham Police Department.
The Illinois State Police said that the driver, Marianne Akers, 44, of Chatham, is not in custody at this time.
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According to authorities, Akers' car left the road for reasons unknown and traveled through a field and into the east side of the YNOT After School Camp on Breckenridge Road.
The car traveled through the building, hitting many people before exiting the other side, the agency added.
Along with the fatalities, another six children were taken to area hospitals and one remains in critical condition, state police said.
The department noted that the crash did not "appear to be a targeted attack.' Akers, the sole driver and occupant of the car, was uninjured and taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
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"ISP offers its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and Chatham community during this difficult time,' the department said.
PEOPLE reached out to YNOT on Tuesday, April 29, for comment. On the homepage of its website, the organization wrote: 'Please keep the families of Chatham YNOT and our staff in your prayers. We could sure use them.'
Responding to the tragedy, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement posted on X Monday, 'My administration is closely monitoring the crash in Chatham. As we continue to learn more, please follow the guidance of all local authorities.'
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Pritzker asked those in Chatham to lean on one another for support during this time, writing, 'Let's wrap our arms around the community tonight as we receive updates on the situation.'
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