Latest news with #YNOTOutdoors
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Illinois school program car crash claims fifth victim as eight-year-old boy dies five weeks after collision
An eight-year-old boy has died five weeks after suffering devastating injuries when a car plowed into a building used as an after-school camp. Bradley Lund died on Monday morning after being struck by a car which veered into the YNOT Outdoors Summer and After School Camp in Chatham, Illinois, on April 28. Lund had been in intensive care since the horrific incident which killed four other children, including Kathryn Corley and Alma Buhnerkempe, both aged seven, eight-year-old Ainsley Johnson and 18-year-old Rylee Britton. The second-grader has been remembered for his 'bright smile, contagious laughter, and kind spirit.' 'From the very beginning, Bradley was a gentle, joyful soul - quiet and observant in new places, but endlessly sweet, silly and full of laughter at home and among those he loved most,' his obituary reads. 'His family and friends will always remember his playful spirit, his curiosity and the quiet joy he radiated. 'Bradley's time with us was heartbreakingly short, but his legacy of love, laughter, and creativity will live on forever in the hearts of all who knew him.' Lund's exact cause of death has not yet been released but he suffered multiple blunt-force injuries from the impact of the crash. The driver, 44-year-old Marianne Akers, had been driving her black Jeep home from work before the tragic moment it crashed into the building. Akers' attorney, W. Scott Hanken, said that Akers had left work at 3pm and was travelling westbound when she suffered a seizure 'of some type of degree.' 'It rendered her completely and utterly incapacitated at the time, and as a result of that seizure, she has no recollection of what occurred,' he said. 'No one contemplated this happening. She surely didn't. It was a perfect storm of events that, if she could take back she would, just like anyone else,' Hanken told WICS. Hanken has said since the incident, Akers has undergone medical testing and been seen by a neurologist to determine the cause of the seizure. 'We have met numerous times with law enforcement,' Hanken told Fox News. 'She has provided them with everything they've needed. She immediately provided them with her phone.' Hanken added that the Illinois State Police performed a forensic download of her phone. He told the outlet that no clear findings have been made regarding the cause of any seizure. Akers is also undergoing counselling to cope with the tragedy of the incident, Fox reported. Police said that Akers' car left the road at around 3:20 pm and traveled through a field before crashing into the east sid e of the YNOT After School Camp, which stands for Youth Needing Other Things Outdoors. Akers' Jeep then crossed a gravel road and crashed into a pole and a fence. She was transported to a local hospital but was uninjured and released. She crashed her car into the east side of the facility with such force that it burst out the other side seconds later. Five other children were injured in the devastating crash, including seven-year-old Ella Orsi who is still recovering after suffering facial fractures, a broken jaw, damaged teeth, brain swelling and brain bleeding. A GoFundMe for Orsi said she is 'an absolute joy to be around' and 'loves to have fun, make jokes, and laugh.' Three of the victims were hit by the Jeep as they stood outside the building, while a fourth person who died was inside the building, police said. Six injured children, including Bradley, were rushed to hospital, including one with injuries so severe they had to be airlifted for treatment. The teenage victim, Rylee Britton, was a high school student who helped run the after-school program and was planning on studying English and secondary education at Iowa University. Her classmates described her as 'super intelligent' and 'unconditionally nice,' adding that she 'always made people laugh.' Rylee's father, Zachary Britton, told the crowd at a vigil for the teen that seeing the support for his daughter made him smile. 'Our hearts are broken, but this helps a little bit,' USA Today reported. Eight-year-old Ainsley Johnson danced at Studio M Dance Centre. Her dance instructor, Mariah Clark, said she always 'brought so much light and joy into my class.' 'Her smile was so bright, her personality was already so big at such a young age, and she danced like she meant it. I will forever keep Ainsley in my heart,' Clark added. Kathryn Corley went by the nickname Kit Kat and was described in her obituary as 'brightening the lives of everyone she encountered with her loving nature and unforgettable personality.' Alma Buhnerkempe was remembered for 'coming into this world exactly how she lived – in a burst of activity.' 'From that point on, she never stopped. She lit up our world with an infectious energy, a goofy sense of humor, and a sense of compassion that was boundless.' Illinois Governor JB Prtizker shared a heartfelt message in the aftermath of the tragedy. 'Parents said goodbye to their kids this morning not knowing it would be the last time. 'Our community lost a group of bright and innocent young people with their whole lives ahead of them. Let's wrap our arms around the community tonight as we receive updates on the situation.' Devastated locals recalled the moment their neighbors, friends, and loved ones learned of the tragedy and rushed to the scene. 'Watching people you know sprint past your house, not knowing if their children are safe, is a gut-wrenching experience. My heart aches for everyone,' one wrote. Illinois Senator Doris Turner said she was 'heartbroken' by the tragedy. 'When we drop our kids off in the morning, we should always have the utmost belief that they will come home safely at the end of the day,' she wrote. 'For some families, that belief was shaken today following the tragedy at YNOT in Chatham. 'I am heartbroken - there truly are no words to explain what the Chatham community is feeling and will feel for days, weeks and months to come. I want to thank the first responders, law enforcement and volunteers.' Police said that an initial toxicology report showed that Akers was not under the influence of any substances. Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said following the crash that there was 'no evidence that would indicate that this was something intended as some type of mass violence, or a terrorist attack,' CBS News reported. It was confirmed that Akers was the only one in the vehicle at the time of the crash. Akers is a former employee of the Illinois State Police and the local high school, the outlet reported. She now works as an office assistant at the Illinois Department of Transportation. State police said Akers has been cooperative in the investigation. Kelly added that the data recorder from the vehicle is being used in the investigation. 'It is a lot, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's going to tell you everything,' Kelly said last month. 'It's not a magic tool that will solve every crime, but it is circumstantial evidence that, along with other things, can be considered.'
CBS News
7 days ago
- General
- CBS News
5th victim dies after April crash at after-school program in Chatham, Illinois
An 8-year-old boy has died, more than a month after a car crashed into an after-school program in downstate Chatham, Illinois, becoming the fifth person who died in the crash. The Sangamon County Coroner's office said 8-year-old Bradley Lund had been hospitalized at HSHS St. John's Hospital since suffering multiple blunt force injuries in the crash on April 28, and was pronounced dead shortly before 6 a.m. on Monday, June 2. Four others were killed on the day of the crash: Ainsley Johnson, 8, of Chatham; Kathryn Corley, 7, of Chatham; Alma Buhnerkempe, 7, of Chatham; and Riley Britton, 18, of Springfield. Five other children were injured. The crash happened around 3:20 p.m. on April 28 at YNOT Outdoors Summer and After School Camp, when a car left the road, traveled through a field and then plowed into the east side of the building, striking several people outside before driving through it and striking many inside. The vehicle eventually broke through the opposite side of the building and came to a stop. Police have said initial toxicology results showed that the driver, 44-year-old Marianne Akers, was negative both for alcohol and controlled substances. Police said there is some evidence that points to a possible medical emergency leading up to the crash, but the investigation remains ongoing. Charges have not been filed in the crash, which remains under investigation "There's just no evidence that would indicate that this was something intended as some type of mass violence, or a terrorist attack, or something along those natures," Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said in the days after the crash. "There's absolutely nothing to indicate that whatsoever." Police confirmed Akers was the only person in the car. Akers is a former employee of the Illinois State Police and the local high school, and now works as an office assistant at the Illinois Department of Transportation. State police have said Akers is cooperating with their investigation Kelly said state police are using the data recorder from the vehicle in their investigation, which could possibly provide information on the vehicle's speed, how its engine was performing and more, depending on the make and model of the car and what onboard sensors it has. "It is a lot, but it doesn't necessarily mean it's going to tell you everything. It's not a magic tool that will solve every crime, but it is circumstantial evidence that, along with other things, can be considered," Kelly said last month. The video above is from an earlier report.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
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.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Yahoo
Four children hospitalized while Illinois town mourns four who died in crash
As a central Illinois community mourns the deaths of three children and a teen counselor killed Monday when a vehicle crashed into the building that housed their after-school program, it has rallied around survivors. Ainsley Johnson, 8; Kathryn Corley, 7; Alma Buhnerkempe, 7, all of Chatham, and counselor Rylee Britton, 18, of Springfield, died from blunt force trauma in the accident. 'As we mourn this unimaginable loss, we recognize the pain and grief that many are experiencing,' Becca Lamon, superintendent for the Ball Chatham School District wrote on the district's webpage. 'We are all hurting. We understand that yesterday's tragedy was difficult to comprehend and process. In times like these it is important that we lean on one another for strength and support.' Police said a black Jeep driven by Marianne Akers, of Chatham, left the road for unknown reason and traveled through a field, crossed a street and a parking lot then hit the east side of a building that housed YNOT Outdoors, which stands for Youth Needing Other Things, an after-school camp in Chatham. The car drove through the building, striking several children and workers, before it exited the other side, went across a basketball court and hit a pole near the town's water tower. Children were in a gym area when the Jeep went through the building. Illinois State Police continue to investigate the cause of the crash but said it was not a targeted attack. ISP confirmed Wednesday that there is surveillance video of the crash. Akers was not injured but was taken to a local hospital for evaluation on Monday afternoon. No charges have been filed as of Wednesday. Six children were hospitalized after the crash. Two have been released, according to Illinois State Police, while four remain hospitalized. A GoFundMe account was established for 7-year-old Ella Orsi, who was injured in the crash, to help with medical costs. Ella sustained facial fractures, a broken jaw, damaged teeth, brain swelling and brain bleeding and is in the pediatric intensive care unit, according to Casey Sitko, who posted on the fundraising site. 'At this time, plastic surgery/surgeries will be required, but it appears as though any brain surgery will be avoided. She is intubated and medicated so she can rest and recover,' Sitko wrote. Ella has been responsive and communicating by squeezing her parents' hands, according to the latest update by Sitko. The Glenwood High School Student Council raised more than $150,000 to help with funeral costs, according to the fundraising site. Chatham has a population of around 15,000 people and is 12 miles from the Capitol in Springfield. Due to the village's proximity to Springfield, a large number of state employees live in Chatham, located south on Interstate 55. Akers, of Chatham, is herself a state employee. She is an office associate in the Illinois Department of Transportation's Bureau of Business Services. She formerly served as an office associate at the Illinois State Police but resigned in 2018 after a 12-year tenure. Under Illinois law, a driver has a duty to report a medical condition that could cause loss of consciousness or any other loss of ability to safely operate a motor vehicle within 10 days of the driver becoming aware of the condition. The Illinois Secretary of State stated it could not comment on whether Akers has previously filed a medical report as that is confidential information. Chatham Schools canceled school through Friday. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the village rallied to show support for the families that were affected. The mayor of Chatham ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff. Residents made T-shirts displaying the slogan 'We Are Chatham Strong' and gave the proceeds to the families. Red, the school color, was seen throughout the village. Ribbons adorned trees and light poles. Red signs were planted in front lawns. Locals wore red shirts throughout the day and at the vigils. Chatham Police Department posted a video of a candlelight vigil held for the victims on Tuesday, and another vigil was scheduled for Wednesday night. Community members shared several Facebook posts urging residents to donate blood. By Tuesday morning, all of the time slots were booked until Friday. Counselors provided free therapy and counseling for children and parents. A local nursery provided free childcare for parents needing 'time for self-care.' Families organized to make or provide meals for families of children who attended the after-school program. Some local bars and restaurants donated a portion of their sales to families impacted by the crash. Others offered free meals to first responders, impacted families, and locals who donated blood. During lunchtime on Wednesday, a real estate firm rented a local trampoline park for four hours, allowing children from the Chatham School District to play during that time for free. A Chatham ice cream shop hosted an event for children with a school counselor and therapy dog. The children were encouraged to write messages on the sidewalk outside in chalk to those who were killed and injured. On Tuesday, a neighboring intermediate school observed a moment of silence for Chatham School District's loss, as their students wore red to show their support. Glenwood athletes planned to meet at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Community Park to play games with younger children from the village. A Linktree page was made for locals to house all additional links for other information, fundraisers, events, and community resources for Chatham residents.
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.
