Four Dead After Car Crashes into Illinois After-School Camp, Several More Injured [Video]

Tragedy struck an Illinois after-school camp on Monday when a driver struck multiple children, leaving four dead.

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Illinois State Police identified Marianne Akers as the driver involved in the crash at the YNOT After School Camp in Chatham. Akers, 44, a Chatham resident, is “not in custody at this time as the cause of the crash remains under investigation.”

The incident occurred around 3:20 p.m. when Akers’ car veered off the road, crashing into a building housing the camp, located 11 miles south of Springfield.

“The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, Akers, was uninjured and transported to an area hospital for evaluation,” state police reported. “Toxicology reports are pending,” and “the cause of the crash remains under investigation.”

The victims, identified by the Sangamon County Coroner’s Office, were Kathryn Corley, 7, Alma Buhnerkempe, 7, Ainsley Johnson, 8, and Rylee Britton, 18. They were “pronounced deceased at the scene” from “multiple blunt force injuries sustained in the incident.”

Six additional children were injured, with one remaining in critical condition.

“ISP traffic crash reconstruction, patrol, crime scene services, and criminal investigations all responded to the scene,” state police added.

YNOT Outdoors, the camp’s organization, called for prayers for the affected families. Founder Jamie Loftus expressed heartfelt sorrow, saying, “Our families who suffered loss and injury today, are hurting very, very badly.” The investigation remains active.