The Chatham community is enveloped in grief following the heartbreaking loss of four young lives in a devastating crash at the YNOT After School Camp on April 28, 2025. The Sangamon County Coroner’s Office has identified the victims as Ainsley Johnson, 8, of Chatham; Rylee Britton, 18, of Springfield; Kathryn Corley, 7, of Chatham; and Alma Buhnerkempe, 7, of Chatham. These young individuals, full of promise and vitality, were tragically killed when a vehicle plowed through the camp’s facility, leaving a trail of sorrow and disbelief in its wake. The incident, which occurred at approximately 3:20 p.m. at 301 Breckenridge Road, has left families, friends, and neighbors grappling with an unimaginable loss.
The vehicle, a Jeep driven by 44-year-old Marianne Akers of Chatham, veered off the roadway for reasons still under investigation. It traveled through an open field before crashing into the east side of the YNOT After School Camp, striking multiple children both outside and inside the building before exiting through the west wall. The impact was catastrophic, claiming the lives of three girls outside the facility and one inside. Six other children were injured, with one airlifted to a hospital in critical condition. Akers, the sole occupant of the vehicle, sustained no physical injuries but was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Authorities have indicated that toxicology results are pending, and while the crash is not believed to be a targeted attack, suspicion of driving under the influence has emerged. Witnesses reported signs of intoxication, and Akers reportedly failed a field sobriety test at the scene. No charges have been filed as the investigation continues, and Akers remains out of custody.
Ainsley Johnson, one of the young victims, was a cherished member of the Springfield Movement Dance Complex, where her vibrant spirit and love for dance left an indelible mark. The studio’s tribute painted a vivid picture of a girl whose bright smile and bold energy lit up every room. “Ainsley danced like she meant it,” her instructor Mariah recalled, noting her infectious enthusiasm and sassy flair in hip-hop classes. The studio also expressed support for two other dancers, Emma and Mia, who were injured in the crash and are now recovering. The loss of Ainsley, alongside Rylee, Kathryn, and Alma, has reverberated through the tight-knit community, prompting an outpouring of condolences and calls for support.
The response to the tragedy was swift and comprehensive, with multiple agencies converging on the scene. The Illinois State Police, alongside the Chatham Police Department, Chatham Fire Department, Springfield Police Department, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, and Sangamon County Coroner’s Office, worked tirelessly to manage the aftermath. The ISP’s Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit and Crime Scene Services are leading the ongoing investigation, piecing together the events that led to this horrific incident. Community leaders, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, have expressed profound sorrow. “Our community lost a group of bright and innocent young people with their whole lives ahead of them,” Pritzker said, extending prayers to the affected families.
The YNOT After School Camp, a cornerstone of the community since its founding in 2002, has long provided a safe and stimulating environment for children in the Ball-Chatham and Pleasant Plains school districts. The facility, designed to offer after-school care and summer programs, now stands as a somber reminder of the fragility of life. In the wake of the crash, the Ball-Chatham School District canceled in-person classes, opting for e-learning to focus on the emotional well-being of students and staff. Counseling services have been made available at Glenwood Middle School, and the Chatham Baptist Church served as a reunification point for families on the day of the tragedy.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. The Chatham community, united in mourning, is leaning on its collective strength to support the grieving families. Vigils and memorials are being planned to honor Ainsley, Rylee, Kathryn, and Alma, whose lives were cut short in a moment of unthinkable tragedy. For now, the focus remains on healing, remembering, and seeking answers to ensure such a loss is never repeated.