Authorities have now confirmed their identities of four girls tragically lost their lives after a vehicle ploughed into a school building.
The horrifying incident took place at the YNOT after-school daycare on Breckenridge Road in Chatham, Illinois, around 3.20pm on Monday, April 28. Authorities reported that the car hit several people before exiting the other side of the structure. Six children were rushed to hospital, with one in a critical condition.
The driver, identified as 44 year old Marianne Akers, was not arrested but taken to a hospital for evaluation. Police do not suspect it was a deliberate attack. The crash is still under investigation.
The Sangamon County coroner identified the young victims as Kathryn Corley and Alma Buhnerkempe, both aged 7, Ainsley Johnson, 8, and Rylee Britton, 18. Devastated mother Billie Buhnerkempe spoke mournfully of her daughter Alma, who perished in the crash, saying the seven year old was “sweet, outgoing, silly and funny”, reports the Mirror US.
“She loved her friends and family fiercely. She loved playing soccer, basketball and doing gymnastics,” she told NBC News.
As investigations continue to unravel the details of this tragic accident, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has expressed his sorrow over the catastrophe. “My heart is heavy for these families and the unimaginable grief they’re experiencing – something that no parent should ever have to endure,” he stated, reflecting the sombre mood following the disaster.
Illinois State Police issued a statement on Tuesday April 29, which read: “The Illinois State Police (ISP) continues its investigation into a fatal crash that occurred Monday afternoon in Chatham. The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash has been identified as 44-year-old Marianne Akers of Chatham. Akers is not in custody at this time as the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
“At approximately 3:20 p.m. on April 28, 2025, a vehicle left the road for unknown reasons, traveled through a field and into the east side of the YNOT After School Camp located at 301 Breckenridge Road in Chatham. The car traveled through the building striking numerous individuals before exiting the otherside. Four individuals were killed in the crash, two 7-year-olds, an 8-year-old, and an 18-year-old.
“Six additional children were taken to area hospitals and one remains in critical condition. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, Akers, was uninjured and transported to an area hospital for evaluation. Toxicology reports are pending. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but this does not appear to be a targeted attack.
“ISP traffic crash reconstruction, patrol, crime scene services, and criminal investigations all responded to the scene along with Chatham Police Department, Chatham Fire Department, Springfield Police Department, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, the Sangamon County Coroner, and numerous other first responders.
“This is an active investigation and no additional information is available at this time. ISP offers its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and Chatham community during this difficult time.”
This heartbreaking event follows another devastating instance where a vehicle tore through a throng of people at a Filipino heritage celebration in Vancouver, British Columbia, taking 11 lives ranging from 5 to 65 years old. In connection with the Canadian tragedy, Kai-Ji Adam Lo, aged 30, is facing eight charges of second-degree murder. Officials dismissed terrorism as a motive, stating that Lo had a history of mental health problems.