Officer Responded to After-School Camp Crash That Killed 4 Girls. Then He Came Home and 'Cried My Eyes Out'

Yahoo

01-05-2025

Locals in Chatham, Ill., gathered on Wednesday, April 30, to honor the victims of the deadly crash at the YNOT Outdoors Summer Camp
Four young girls died as a result of the crash and six are still recovering from their injuries
"The tears have continued to come in waves every day since, and they come without warning," said Chatham police officer David Leach
Hundreds gathered for a vigil to honor the four victims who died after a car crashed into their after-school camp in Illinois earlier this week, including an officer who spoke about the emotional toll of responding to the crash.
The car crashed into the after-school program's building in Chatham and killed Rylee Britton, 18, Ainsley Johnson, 8, Alma Buhnerkempe, 7, and Kathryn Corley, 7, on Tuesday, April 28, according to authorities.
On Wednesday, April 29, the community gathered at Glenwood High School to mourn and send their support to the victims still recovering from their injuries.
Speaking at the vigil, Chatham police officer David Leach addressed the crowd from the football field, where four heart-shaped memorials were placed in honor of each of the victims.
Related: Girls Killed in Illinois After-School Camp Crash Remembered by Parents as 'Sweet, Silly' Daughters
'After being at the scene of the crash, it was incredibly hard,' he told the crowd. 'I went home and hugged my wife and children and just bawled. I cried my eyes out. The tears have continued to come in waves every day since, and they come without warning.'
'To the families grieving the loss of your child, we are here with you, and we grieve with you. We are praying for you," he added. "We also gather tonight to show support and encouragement to the families of the six other children seriously injured in this crash. To those families, some of which are still with their children in the hospital, we are here with you too.'
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According to Illinois State Police, that the crash occurred April 28 at 3:20 p.m. local time when a vehicle "left the road for unknown reasons, traveled through a field and into the east side.'
"The car traveled through the building striking numerous individuals before exiting the other side," police added.
Four students were pronounced dead at the scene from 'multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the incident.'
Related: 4 Minors Killed After Car Crashes Into Illinois After-School Camp
No charges have been filed against the driver, Marianne Akers, 44, and she is not in custody, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said during a news conference on Thursday, May 1.
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," Kelly said. "However, this investigation of this information and other evidence has not yet concluded and will continue."
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