Latest news with #GlenwoodHighSchool
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Officer Responded to After-School Camp Crash That Killed 4 Girls. Then He Came Home and 'Cried My Eyes Out'
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.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 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." Read the original article on People
CBS News
01-05-2025
- CBS News
High school holds vigil for 4 girls hit, killed by car at after-school camp in Chatham, Illinois
Thousands came out Wednesday evening to honor the four girls killed when a car plowed through an after-school camp building in downstate Chatham, Illinois, earlier this week. Friends, family, and supporters filled the stands for the student-organized vigil at Glenwood High School in Chatham, in central Illinois just south of Springfield. State police were called to YNOT Outdoors Summer and After School camp at about 3:20 p.m. Monday when a car crashed into the east side of the building. The car struck several people outside the building before plowing through it, hitting many inside. It eventually broke through the opposite side of the building and came to a stop. Four students were killed. The Sangamon County coroner identified them as Ainsley Johnson, 8, of Chatham; Rylee Britton, 18, of Springfield; Kathryn Corley, 7, of Chatham; and Alma Buhnerkempe, 7, of Chatham. Six additional children were injured. Most were taken to local hospitals by ambulance but one had to be taken by a life flight helicopter. Illinois State Police have identified the driver as 44-year-old Marianne Akers of Chatham, Illinois. State police said she is not currently in custody as their investigation into the crash continues. Akers is a former employee of the Illinois State Police and of the local high school. She is now an office assistant at the Illinois Department of Transportation. It remained unclear late Wednesday what caused the driver to crash. She has not been charged, and toxicology reports are still pending.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Chatham community supports those lost YNOT Camp tragedy
CHATHAM, Ill.- On Wednesday, Volunteers and businesses in Chatham, Illinois, came together to show their support for the victims of the YNOT school camp tragedy that claimed four lives. On Tuesday morning—a day after the incident—Impressions Design posted a link for 'We Are Chatham Strong' T-shirts. Within 24 hours, they had 2,700 orders from across the country. 'Coming here and helping is taking my mind off of it, making me feel a little bit better about volunteering and helping,' said Jerzi Hinds, a senior at Glenwood High School. Ashley Hinds is the owner of Impressions Design and said the shirts are helping community members grieve. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'We want to be together to help our community get through this and I think that's where it started. It is not just a saying; it is truly how we get through life right now,' Hinds said. Hinds said volunteers of the tight-knit community are leaning on each other while the community mourns the lives lost. 'Everybody is saddened and heartbroken by what happened. Even if they didn't know the children who passed away or that were injured. Together, as a community, we support each other,' Marissa Boyd, a volunteer, said. All of the proceeds from the shirts are going to the families. The link to the shirts can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
Wanting to help out after the fatal crash in Chatham? Here are a number of ways
Two candlelight vigils in support of families impacted by the April 28 fatal crash in Chatham have been planned. There are other fundraisers and prayer services also being coordinated. Three girls and an 18-year-old were killed on when the driver of a vehicle struck several students inside and outside of YNOT Outdoors, an after-school program at 301 North Breckenridge Road. Here's how you can help. More: Names of four girls who died in crash in Chatham released by coroner's office Vigils will be held at Village Square Park at 7 p.m. on April 29 and at the Glenwood High School football stadium at 7:30 p.m. on April 30. The April 29 prayer service is being sponsored by several different groups and will be held at Chatham United Methodist Church, 104 W. Chestnut St., in case of inclement weather. The Glenwood Student Council is sponsoring the April 30 vigil. Bs Creative Studio Prayer, 1333 Wabash Ave., Suite B, has an open prayer room from noon to 8 p.m. on April 29. Cherry Hills Church and Lake Springfield Christian Assembly had prayer services earlier on April 29. There is a meal train being coordinated for families of YNOT Outdoors. Visit for more information. Chatham Strong t-shirts are now available for purchase through All profits from the sales of t-shirts will go straight to the families impacted by the crash. More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the State Journal-Register app Grief counseling and trauma-informed support for members of the Chatham community is being offered nightly at Chatham Presbyterian Church, 1835 E. Walnut St. in Chatham from 5 to 7 p.m. from April 29 through May 1. Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@ X, This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: How to help out in the Chatham community after fatal crash
