Update on 4/30 at 11 a.m.
CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — Two of the victims who were hospitalized after a car crashed through a Chatham after-school building on Monday have been released.
The crash killed four girls, and sent six more victims to the hospital.
WCIA learned Wednesday morning that two of those victims have since been released, and that four others still remain in the hospital, State Police confirmed. There is no further information on their conditions at this time.
Update on 4/29 at 10:55 a.m.
CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — The Sangamon County Coroner has released the names of three girls and one teenager who were killed on Monday when a car drove through the building hosting their after-school program.
Coroner Jim Allmon said all four were pronounced dead at the scene. He identified them as:
- 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
Allmon added that post-mortem procedures were performed on Tuesday. The procedures indicated that they all died from multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the incident.
The deaths remain under investigation by Allmon’s office, the Illinois State Police and the Chatham Police Department.
Update on 4/29 at 8:32 a.m.
CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — State Police said the driver of the fatal crash at an after-school program Monday afternoon is a 44-year-old Chatham woman.
She is not in custody at this time, officials added, as the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Update on 4/29 at 7:10 a.m.
CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — Illinois State Police shared more information Tuesday morning regarding a deadly crash at an after-school program in Chatham.
The four female students killed in the crash included two 7-year-olds, one 8-year-old and an 18-year-old. Six additional children were transported to local hospitals, where one of them remains in critical condition Tuesday morning.
The driver and the only occupant of the vehicle that crashed through the building wasn’t hurt but was taken to a local hospital to be evaluated. Toxicology reports are pending.
State Police said this does not appear to be a targeted attack, but the crash remains under investigation.
Several agencies responded to the scene including the Chatham Police and Fire Departments, Springfield Police Department, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, Sangamon County Coroner, as well as ISP traffic crash reconstruction, patrol, crime scene services, and criminal investigations.
State Police had no further information to share at this time but offered their “sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and Chatham community during this difficult time.”
Update: 8:56 p.m.
CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon has confirmed the deaths of four female students at after-school program YNOT Outdoors. The coroner said that identification of the students is pending until all families are notified.
Update: 6:15 p.m.
CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — The victims of the after-school crash in Chatham were between the ages of 4 and 18, according to the Illinois State Police.
The vehicle hit multiple people outside the YNOT Outdoor building before continuing through the building. Once inside, the vehicle hit multiple people before exiting through the west wall.
The driver was uninjured, but was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
Traffic on Walnut St. between Park St. and Gordon Drive will be closed until further notice according to the Illinois State Police.
Update: 5:45 p.m.
CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — Chatham Police confirmed with WCIA that four people are dead and six people are injured after a car drove through an after-school building on Monday.
Scott Tarter, Deputy Chief of Police in Chatham said the call came in around 3:20 p.m. Tarter said the car drove through the east side of YNOT Outdoors, an after-school program.
Tarter was unable to confirm the ages of any of the victims at this time. He said that of the six who were brought to the hospital, one was transported through life flight, and the other five were transported by an ambulance.
At this time, the driver of the vehicle is at the hospital with police.
Relatives looking to meet up with their children are asked to go to the Chatham Baptist Church on Walnut Street.
Update: 5:20 p.m.
CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — Four people have died after a vehicle drove through an after-school program in Chatham, a daycare worker confirmed with WCIA News.
The crash happened at YNOT Outdoors, an afterschool program, located at 301 Breckenridge Road.
This is a developing story.
CHATHAM, Ill. (WCIA) — The Springfield Fire Department is actively assisting the Chatham Fire Department in an “active incident.”
Chatham Fire is leading the response, but Springfield has sent multiple engines and personnel to provide support.
Chatham Village Trustee Kristen Chiaro shared a statement about the incident on her Facebook page.
There is an emergency at YNOT Outdoors in Chatham. The Chatham Baptist Church will be the reunification point for families who have children at YNOT. Prayers to all.
Kristen Chiaro
At this time, limited information is available. WCIA reached out to the Chatham Police Department but they were unable to confirm any details.
This is a developing story.
