CHATHAM, Ill. (April 29, 2025) – Four students and one counselor were killed when an SUV crashed into a building hosting an after-school program around 3:20 p.m. on Monday, April 28. 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 that housed the gymnasium, striking multiple people before exiting through the opposite side.
At the time of the crash, two of the victims were inside the building, while the three others were outside, according to the police.
Four of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The fifth victim, who sustained “multiple blunt force injuries,” remained hospitalized for five weeks before succumbing to those injuries.
The Sangamon County Coroner’s Office reported that two of the victims were 7-years-old, two were 8-years-old, and one was 18-years-old. Five other children were injured as a result of the crash.
Police believe the driver suffered a medical episode and will not face charges, ABC 7 reported. Officials added that the crash does “not appear to be a targeted attack,” reported USA Today.
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.
