CHATHAM, Ill. (April 29, 2025) – Four students were killed when an SUV crashed into a building hosting an after-school program around 3:20 p.m. on Monday. The collision occurred at the YNOT After School Camp in Chatham, Illinois, about 11 miles south of Springfield, reported FOX News.
Illinois State Police said the vehicle, driven by a 44-year-old woman, traveled through a field and smashed into the east side of the building, striking multiple people before exiting on the opposite side. It is unknown why the driver veered from the road into the field, ABC 7 reported.
Police said one of the victims was inside the building at the time of the crash, and the three others were outside. The Sangamon County Coroner’s Office said that two of the victims were 7-years-old, one was 8-years-old, and one was 18-years-old at the time of the crash.
Six other children were injured, and one remains in critical condition.
The driver was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and was not injured in the crash.
WAND News learned the driver previously worked with the Ball-Chatham School District, last working at the district in 2022 as a food service employee.
Illinois State Police said the driver was not in custody, “as the cause of the crash remains under investigation.” Officials added that the crash does “not appear to be a targeted attack,” reported USA Today.
