The small village of Chatham, Illinois, just south of Springfield, was struck by an unimaginable tragedy on Monday afternoon when a vehicle careened through the YNOT After School Camp, claiming the lives of four young girls and leaving a community in mourning. The crash, which occurred around 3:20 p.m. at the facility on Breckenridge Road, has left families shattered and a tight-knit community grappling with grief. Two 7-year-old girls, an 8-year-old girl, and an 18-year-old girl lost their lives in the horrific incident, while six other children were injured, one of whom remains in critical condition. The driver, identified as 44-year-old Marianne Akers of Chatham, was unharmed but taken to a hospital for evaluation as authorities work to uncover the cause of the devastating event.
The YNOT After School Camp, a beloved program founded in 2002 by Springfield natives Jamie and Mitzi Loftus, has long served as a safe haven for children in the Ball-Chatham and Pawnee school districts. The nonprofit organization provides after-school care and summer programs designed to keep children active and engaged in a nurturing environment. On Monday, the camp was filled with the usual energy of young students when, without warning, an SUV driven by Akers veered off the road, crossed a field, and smashed through the east wall of the building. The vehicle struck three girls outside before plowing through the structure, hitting another inside, and exiting through the west wall. The sheer force of the crash left the facility in ruins and sent shockwaves through the community.
Emergency responders, including the Chatham Fire Department and Springfield Fire Department, rushed to the scene, where they encountered a chaotic and heart-wrenching tableau. Three of the victims were pronounced dead outside the building, while a fourth was found inside, all having suffered catastrophic injuries. Six other children were swiftly transported to local hospitals, with one requiring airlifting by helicopter due to the severity of their condition. The Illinois State Police, working alongside the Chatham Police Department, have taken charge of the investigation, which remains ongoing as authorities await toxicology reports on Akers. While police have stated that the crash does not appear to have been a targeted attack, the reasons why the vehicle left the roadway remain unclear, leaving many questions unanswered.
The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief and support from the Chatham community and beyond. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker expressed his horror and deep sadness, noting the unbearable loss of “bright and innocent young people with their whole lives ahead of them.” He extended his condolences to the families, emphasizing the unimaginable pain of parents who said goodbye to their children that morning, unaware it would be for the last time. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton echoed these sentiments, reflecting on the instinct of parents to hug their children tightly each morning, trusting they will return home safely. Chatham Village President Dave Kimsey called for unity, acknowledging the challenging days and weeks ahead as the community processes the loss.
In response to the tragedy, the Ball-Chatham School District shifted to eLearning on Tuesday, canceling all extracurricular activities to focus on providing social and emotional support for students. Counseling services were made available at Glenwood Middle School, and the Glenwood Student Council launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the victims’ families, raising over $33,000 by Tuesday morning. The Chatham Baptist Church served as a reunification point for families, offering a space for parents to reconnect with their children amid the chaos.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on supporting the families and the community. The names of the victims have not yet been released, pending autopsies and family notifications, but their loss has left an indelible mark on Chatham. The YNOT After School Camp, once a place of laughter and learning, now stands as a somber reminder of a day that changed lives forever. For now, the community holds tight to one another, seeking strength in unity as they honor the memory of four young lives cut tragically short.